Back to School

 My teacher friends are back at work. And I'm back at work this morning.  I'm taking a poetry class out of Sarah Lawrence Writing Center.  Our first assignment isn't due until next week but I've already written it.  Our prompt was to write something about doorways and have two questions.  So I gave myself the challenge of writing a sestina.  So, ok.  It ain't great.  Doesn't have enough physical detail.  But pretty good for two hours of writing.

AFTER 50 YEARS

 

 

Our first kiss was in the doorway

of your duplex. Chill autumn air

Invited us inside. Why wait?

Do you remember?  When we kissed

you were confused.  It was too fast.

It was too soon. I was too young.

 

I didn’t know that you were young

as well. I didn’t see a  doorway

to something permanent. “Love fast,

die young,” my plan. All up in air

the moment that we hugged and kissed

because I was too hot to wait

 

for freedom. And you couldn’t wait  

for a companion, so took a young

thing home. Were you surprised we kissed?

When we stepped through your doorway

what was your hope?  I sought to air

my youthful lust. Some called me “fast:”

 

an old insult. But we made fast

to love.  Remember the wait

during the blood test?  Orange August air

made us sweat.  We were both too young,

Me 18, you 43.  Doorway

to disaster! But when we kissed

 

something connected.  When we kissed

we didn’t know we’d be bound fast.

You didn’t hoist me through your doorway

and sometimes I couldn’t wait

for satisfaction and sought young

things myself.  “Give her the air,”

 

they said, who didn’t know us air

for each other. When last I kissed

your flesh, it chilled.  I am now young

again in this world, a long fast

of kisses ahead.  A long wait

until I pass through that doorway

 

to find you young, eternity’s air

a doorway bright, sun- kissed:

Love holding us fast. Till then I wait.