I thought I saw you tonight at Thre

I thought I saw you tonight at Threadgills

No, that is not true
I never thought it was you
but maybe an older brother
he had your colors
face freckle tied but a thinner gray crown
I knew it was not you,
but it was a reason for this drama
for the pauses over tea
between family talk,
my son learning to add in negative numbers on
the armadillo placemat
you came with smooth finger trace
his hand pale on cold glass
booth smiling and light eyed familiarity
pretending it was you
so close so secret
did he recognize me too?
pencil in the player of muse

no, I want you
melting in my hand
short sigh oh oh of surprise
as if a new color of pain were invented

twist sugar jump me over toe
where can I take you next?
you know me
you know me
I lay you down
chair tied
pillow propped these phrases used to mean something
but now they are alive
and their meaning escapes me

I want you
and all I can say is
“I want you”

pine needle kneeling we sway
like a puppy in a pick up
slaves to inertia
find me
hide in me
tell me that the secret is there are no secrets
fence hammered chicken wired all tired and true
truly present
under nails
sleep waits
tonight at Threadgills
I thought I saw you