poems from california

I.

If a lover causes pain,
release this from them.
Walk out of their house,
turn around,
take all of the paper and coins
out of your pockets,
wipe your shoes with three scuffs,
and then
walk back into your lover's house.
Walk softly towards their face
and kiss a kiss deep
inside their golden hair.

Remember a toast that was made
over a 2005 bottle of Australian Shiraz
when you were only twenty seven:
"may lovers be constantly in awe -
the beloved always a changing thing.
May you always find the act of the lover eating
enthralling - may we live life in constant
stupor - like the first time we touched,
everyday, the sight of you in bed."

If this does not work,
walk out
and walk back in.

A wave is not a thing,
A body is not real,
both are only moments
before breaking into light.


II.

always, in the morning
when i must leave you
it feels as though my blood
begins to pump
away from my heart -
every string inside my body
is taut, pulled
ringing.