I can fall in love in two minutes
fuelling and falling
at the petrol station.
because I see the tiniest of smiles
escape your gentle face
from underneath your bucket hat
(which doesn't look as dicky on you
as it does on most boys)
and because you are
bold enough
to offer it
directly
to me.
My back to you
(my favourite)
I feel your inquisitive eyes on my
mud-streaked thighs
while the petrol greases into my old Toyota,
I slip my palms into my waistband,
to divulge to you just a little of the
skin of the small of my back,
slightly achey from a day of bending over;
from carrying an antidote to the
weight of the apocalypse
Would you like to put your palms there ?
You have a trailer with a lawnmower on it
your bread comes by the earth, too --
but not like mine does
you have no idea of
all the things
I could show you
you seem young and wise enough
a potent combination
and I'm moving through autumn
and it's been a while
because I'm learning discipline
and I am full of it
and then there's tears ...
because you will never read this poem
because my skin is lonely
and I have so much to give
because I am perfectly happy in my own rhythm
and there is no one else to share that happiness with
because I give and therefore ask
the world