Holly go, lightly

we see the twilight
awake till the day
along the Venice canals, we roam
drinking it in
the waters rising
floating buildings lower, back to the sea
elements to be regurgitated, cleaned, made a new

back we eat bits of crushed veggies and roasted lemons
bitter, so tart our eyes water,
cheeks flush, or it the closeness of you

in red borrowed tee shirts, we dip
feet first, off the side
run, leap, under, into
the water rush, we gasp
too much, the chill, even with arms of warmth
wrapped, tight, around
there is distance, in your eyes

in this holly go lightly life


i sip coffee, it burns going down
leaving the middle of my pink tongue
burnt
we gathered to watch
the boy we kissed late, early
strum, string, suck
cords, blown to make
sounds waves, for us

electricity enlightens
the bass beat vibrates, through the wood
the bench we watch from
sit on, it feels too good
for you to be all the way, over there
hands to far from our, thighs, now turned up

previously wet and leaping
holes growing, smaller
eyes closing and rimmed red
plastic cup replaced with ceramic
white pills left in the car
but we itch deep…and wonder

what are we doing?
where are we going ?
when are we giving up…and how much is enough?

in this go lightly life?

© Jennifer Sky Band. Do not reprint without permission.