You Know the Kind…

by Sarah Jane Souther

Love

that whitewashed-pool-deck-blinding-in-the-sun love

hot-pink-mini-skirt-half-way-up-my-thighs love

fistfuls-of-candy-making-stains-on-my-palms love

rosé-in-the-afternoon-I-think-I’m-almost drunk love

too-sweet love

sick-to-my-stomach love

fizzing-over-the-edges love.

oozing-black-and-pooling-on-asphalt love

dried-blood-painting-rust-on-my-skin love

spoiled-and-stale-in-the-burnt-orange-sun love

scrape-out-the-boiled-over-mess-in-the-oven love

bitter love 

left-too-long love

taste-of-ashes-on-my-tongue love.

or is it really love?

what do you call

affection unnoticed and unanswered?

always-be-your-little-sister love?

no-return-on-the-investment love?

I do it on a dare 

make a vow to myself

that I’ll love 

without agenda, love 

until I can’t love anymore, love

to oblivion, love 

until I fall in love with someone else, love 

and hold onto friendship,

that consolation prize of a love 

that’s not compulsive, love 

that’s chosen and chosen again.

priceless, savored love

change-your-life-forever love

I-will-always-choose-to-love-you 

Love.