Etch

They etched forever in a photograph
hoping forever tasted like
first time
new
like first kiss
nervous.

And if forever were
to be comfortable
we hope that it at least
taste warm.
Apple pie
sweet
dessert
an uneccessary course
but one we couldn’t say no to.

But comfortable tastes
cold
heat only coming from the burn
it is icicle
dangerous
cuts your tongue
has you trip over words.

they etched forever in a photograph
but could only think of girl winning boy
how
unmagical
unusual
less romance and more persistence
forever felt like
girl having to win boy
over and over again.

like girl having to convince boy
of the safety in her arms
the moisture in her legs
how for girl
it was novelty
but for boy it was
normal.
Nothing he hadn’t experienced before.
She asked him
to pretend
like first time for her
was at least first time with her
she wanted
craving.

Like when she waited for him
and walked the thinnest of ropes.
Balancing desire
with patience
balancing craving
with understanding
knowing fear
and fearing comfort.
It was more scary
than exciting
until he took her off thin wire
and said,
“Okay
but slow.”

So slow it went.
Fear no longer from thin ropes
but ground pulled from under her feet
so she buried her toes deep in the dirt
walked paths barefoot
felt the ground stab her heels
while he walked ahead of her
so she’d be

always chasing.

she etched forever in a photograph
refused to hang it on the wall
hid it
so he couldn’t see it ever crossed her mind
forever, never framed
she buried it
thought one day she’d water it
but left these words behind.

Etched forever on a computer screen
saved it in drafts
it was the only poem
she refused to share
saved it in case
he ever came to her empty handed
a photo
resting in his wallet
this morning
scribbled in his hand
and she’d take it
over and over
girl chasing boy
forever, never framed.