salted caramel hair  /  honeydew skin

moon and sun co-op  /  the sky at wave break

rays over, suits under   /  cue oyster cracker jacuzzi

sandcastle room temperature  /  a quarter life share

area code country code garden party dress code will not accept roses unless planted grandmother’s granddaughter walking on ball pointe penning the caption that escorts portraits on crosswalks Lichtensteined lens capsleeves I was told there’d be hors d oeuvres and uppers

Tangerine walls and reception candy

Past the fuzzball, before the fishbowl

Open floor plan Photoshop prank

These stripes are earned.

Legacies framed

The Wendy’s account … The Ciroc account

Fast food and 80 proof

Has anyone seen my felt-tip pen?

Sketch talking heads

Sketch circles with legs

Live by the idea

Repeat.

Casual Monday and Bagel Friday

Ego placebos and agency-wide emails

An ad atelier

metered asphalt pastimes

rearview mirror ex- and why

the great french fry debate

every moon a spotlight

leggy two-door coupe arrivals

red-light afrojack crescendo

arms in chorus, on-ramp bridge

text me if you can

Forecasts checked grey on a holiday beach.

Frame this freshwater cloud parade.

This pulp-perfect pick me up.

Pressed pouts then thunderous laughs

that catch fire and light this wet-sand soiree.

Cinched sarcasm and bites in bows

First-plucked fresh and all that’s sunny of dreary delight

Whistle sweet air and wave

Lyrics on lips on a fire escape

Three in a hammock at noon

A girl, a Sharpie, a hanging tomato

One shoelace with two choices

meets at mid-point
and bows.

Ice water and sliced orange
curtsy the mouth.

The keepsakes of kindness
lay in our breath.

Turn your brights on

and be someone.

Arms out, palms up, make like a top

merry or weary

go ’round in royal-colored jumpsuits.

I approve this victory lap.

Paint the carpet red.

Place a target on your

top hat.

This marked rhythmic day

with its laceloose dance parades.

Serum less for truth in mind

than in body. Face plant.

Be frivolous with the elements.

The top will fall where it may and

roll it’s own majestic lullaby.

Plowed cuticles on newspaper nails

on napkin-folded pocket currency

on the 10:39am train.

Own and be owned.

Go around those stopped short.

Today no-turn-on-red does not apply.

A sidewalk existence.

Today’s special is a debt-free souffle.

Answer only to a momentarily

cast shadow.

Not early enough for sunrise

but just after. When there are no secrets.

Swaddle these Maytime rays and

things that are light enough

to linger

Stir what’s hot and lemony

The whole day of slow honey

Not in search any longer,

but just after. When faces are at rest.

Fresh cold bursts and warm tomato soup.

Knowing grins that close your lids

fleetingly. Socked feet

alternate tiptoe and flat foot,

this oversized hour of scattered and gathered

snug solitude.

Bones stiff as youth, heels steady as

occupy resolve. Engines minded

by those with wits

they can construct in. Lax does not equate

to tasteless. Formed to flair

enough to function. Come what

may, we’re rooted away from here.

Be moved

in any direction but

back.

Strong willed in craft and grip. Make

what’s yours by hand, by day, by night.

And slap your maiden name on it.

Don’t count your every step,

but be certain that you take them.