And so he
Arrived onions and
Kidney beans in
Hand he said
Make me chili
And so I
Did and we
Started the cooking
And eventually dined
And shared stories
Triumphs and disappointment
Then there between
Sour cream and
Chives we realized
That one thing
We both loved
It’s odd this
This idea of
Rising from nothing
When things begin
It’s a firestorm
Ignited and fueled
By desire yearning
Fanned by winds
Of the newness
Of you your
Taste and touch
But when it’s
Over and we
Both lie in
The dusty ash
Of the other
When our landscapes
Lay barren exposed
And decimated maybe
Just maybe something
New sprouts a
Comfort knowing that
We’ve survived the
Wars of love
To be friends
Maybe something new
Quieter and better
Because we’ve learned
Who we are
For the other
Rather than ourselves
I used to
Run in the
Rain naked and
Now I watch
Those that do
With heavy sadness
Not because of
Their self expression
But because of
Mine mine lies
Here only here
It is in
The knowing the
Culpability that ones
Life regards another
That this one
Singular life means
Anything
Please America take
Us back from
Anarchy and hatred
And give us hope
That tomorrow will
Be better today
And sometimes just
Maybe you get
A second chance
Not a chance
Per ce not
A do over
Not a mulligan
But maybe a
Refresh taking stock
To what’s important
Things come and
Go and come
And go but
Some things are
Constant and consistent
Like your shivering
Or me lighting
Your cigarettes or
The sun and
Moon or your
Kindness and all
The silly things
That we do
Refreshing aren’t they
HARLAN DIDRICKSON 