We did think
it once silly 
things called kisses
first too sloppy
then too slow 
now not enough 
funny how when 
the heart goes 
the lips are
soon to follow 

Me and tree
me and thee
just us three
watch and wait 
ready to raid
gifts this day
ribbon goes flying 
presents once tying
paper done trying 
a little trinket 
me thinks it
that you’d like 

No they don’t 
some may do
but most doubt 
across from me 
cautious and uncertain 
like offering cream 
and some sugar 
having had neither 
they stare frightened 
it’s just intelligence 
I say nothing 
else just my
way of thinking 
fine I’ll try 
you can always 
throw me out 
if you find 
me too sweet 
and start over 
such is this 
thing called dating 
in the age 
of bliss ignorance 

People it seems 
are miserable hunkering 
down in place
or moving about 
lost and unaware 
looking and looking 
for any shred
of what they 
once recognized as
hope finding none 
finding little just
scraps and crumbs 
of what’s left 
barely enough to 
light much less 
warm they huddle 
against the backdrop 
of despair cowering 
and wondering when
the winds of 
change will shift 
removing the clouds 
of this bleached 
bleakness and return
the blanketing warmth 
of summer’s sun 

From morning window 
I see candies
high up above 
swirls of sugar 
rosy and pink
a confectionery delight 
and blueberry ice
in the middle 
ever so slowly 
dripping and drifting 
into the white
chocolate clouds of 
cones here at
soda fountain mountain