Kaleidoscope Trip

Flip, shuffle, click,
the pieces coalesce...

into a spring night under the elms
where you shook my hand
while the Triumph roared around us,
or would have if the engine
hadn't died earlier that day...

into the pink rocks under my feet
encircling the tinted fountain where I strolled,
blindfolded, and giddy enough to scrub
museum caryatids with a toothbrush...

into red, white and blue flags
wapping in the breeze while the
snow moved in my hand
and the kids never got tired of playing
basketball in Safety Town...

into a squeaking paddle boat on a dirty lagoon
of blue jello, sculpted mushrooms,
and crunchy popsicle sticks;
even the pussy willows turned into mice...

into doors always open
where the perfect host or hostess
never let the glasses empty,
whether it be a crowd or a private
party of two...

into a Streetside Cafe
where those pretzels sure made me thirsty,
and football players gave me autographs
that I then gave to you...

into a poolside chair
in the hot southern town where
hoppy smiles and antebellum homes
lulled the lovers' hearts when
they weren't looking...

into a blur of electronic words and digital voices
linked by smoke signals and jet fuel;
the soundtrack no less stirring for its distant sound;
the pool as wet as ever...

Flip, shuffle, click,
through our kaleidoscope trip...