30'

For thirty seconds, my shutter opened

to flashlight paint and river snow. 

Frost tautened my shoulders

and our laughs clouded the air. 

We protected ears and hands

like our molecules were miracles. 

We folded useless hand warmers

in our palms and huddled to the cars. 

The February night fractured in half

and now my stomach ruins me

when you come to mind

and I warm myself in the kitchen. 

Kill the dull echo

I woke to adolescent longing for her
or at least how I imagine her to be.

And though I trained myself to drift
in hollow desire, I'm feverish now for a cure.

So I kill the dull echo of my twin bed
by forming my lips to whistle

a dream song more cheerful in its lust
like an open convertible in summer.

The road melts my tires and resolve
and I remember her again.