Zero Day

Down the road
across the tracks
a pickup truck
our old backpacks,
Hiking shorts
and hiking shoes
thin tee-shirts
the through hike blues,

He drops us at
the Dollar Store
re-stock our packs
a little more,
A launderette
eight-room motel
decide to splurge
what the hell,

Pay our money
get the key
both go inside
both take a pee,
Strip off our clothes
check for ticks
off all the gin-joints
we pick Rick’s,

Hey sweetheart
if you got the time
into the bathtub
we both climb,
Not enough
room for two
but we’re good friends
me and you,

We soap each other
front and back
with Dr. Bronner’s
from my pack,
We talk about
the trail, ahead
the size of
the tiny bed,

We order pizza
two large drinks
slowly work
out the kinks,
Take all our clothes
to the launderette
both agree
that we’re all set,

The pizza guy
knocks on the door
wearing just your poncho
nothing more,
You give him a twenty
and a thank you smile
he’ll be dreaming about you
for quite awhile,

We sit on the bed
naked and free
eat the pizza
you and me,
Finally full, clean
content
not in your hammock
not in my tent,

We gently kiss
and relax
without the weight
of our packs,
Make love with
no urgency
then fall asleep
you and me,