she relays to me
that I’m odd
(not that I haven’t heard that before)
and that I’ll always
be that way
(yah, I’ve heard that too)
and this is why
she likes that chapter:
some steamy romance
going nowhere
because it’s not yet written
or maybe
the plot
dried up
as with my tears
accusing fingers
holding your place
between
the part I played
and the mock-up
of a man riding in on a white stallion
saving you
from God knows what
open hand offering, reaching
out to you,
and to look upon
you, your favorite
of all the pretty-boy
poster smiles
long, stately mane
flowing in the breeze,
my wizardly ways
which have seen
the world
and the knowledge
that this too shall pass.
Art credit: Harrison Dale Conti, age 4
“The sun and Daddy at Gumpy and Nini’s”