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.