That feeling when you’re in Paris, finally,
or your mother calls to tell you she met someone new
three years after the divorce. When you start spending
big girl money on shampoo and your hair is glossy.
When you love that boy and your knees are soft
like honey. When there is coffee. When there is a pool,
and it’s warm, and it’s night. When you are cruel
to a girl with bad skin but you feel like you own the world.
When you’re in the car with your best friend
and your favorite song is on and you’re full of sugar
and you love each other until you go to sleep.
When there is a party and the videos you see the next day
are out of focus and you’re laughing into your eggs.
When you’ve just washed your sheets and they smell
like an open window. When you’re not sure if this is real,
but all the hair in the sink. When you’re not the only one.

Kristina Haynes, “That Feeling”