Like almost and
Sort of and
Mostly like all
My others our
First kiss mislanded
Like a parachutist
Flying into trees
My lips fell
Off target half
Lips half cheek
Embarrassed asking for
Another I climbed
Into my plane
Of nerves and
Jumped again this
Time landing squarely
On those full
Succulent soft lips
Nervous like a
Hatchling about to
Leap we met
And over wings
And beer we
Laughed told stories
And oh yes
Kissed just thrice
Softness and moist
Time stopped then
In that place
And while others
Saw they cheered
In their own
Quiet way like
That mother bird
Applauds hatchling takeoff
I watched your
Throat and someone
Else’s kiss was
There I wondered
If maybe my
Lips could be
There inked in
Red but laughingly
You said no
Your lips belong
Only here here
Just like rain
That fell on
Drought crops or
Late winter snows
Blanket brown grass
Your teasing and
Laughter brought me
Back to life
When I was
On my knees
You reached down
And helped me
To my feet
Showing me rainbows
I’m living now
More than ever
Fresh air in
And bad out
Like a billow
To a dying
Fire you brought
Me to life
And then when
I thought I
Would never again
Drink the spigot
Of you quenched
My parchness like
Lazy falling rain
Bathes blossoms or
Fire hydrants tease
Dancing children on
Hot summer streets
Now sated leaning
Against you I
Wonder looking up
Did you know
I couldn’t speak
Except with lips
HARLAN DIDRICKSON 