poetry

It’s Midspring

for A.C.

Photo by Chris Sheldon on Unsplash

I take the long way home. I open a good book
and finger it. loving good things,
myself among them.
cultivating soul and body,
a child said I smelled of cologne
when I wasn't wearing any.
soon after, self-righteousness began
to stoke a flame deep in the jungle.
some hugs — I’ve been trying to keep
good company. they’re telling me
not to squash other people,
not to grieve too long…