Here’s another poem from breathing room vol.II: rhymes & relics (2008, Doubt It Publishing). I’ve always been pretty fond of this one because I love the ampersand icon, the word itself and the repetition throughout. I hope you like it too.
ampersand
with a twinkle in your eyes
& a spring in your step
& the way you smile (lips pursed at the corners)
& your laugh when you can’t hold it in
& the tiny hairs on the small of your back
& the little noise you make when i rub you just right
& how you fit just right in the crook of my arm
& the way you smoke your last cigarette before bed
& your scent next to me when i’m waking up
& watching you naked coming out of the shower
& into the bedroom to get your cotton pajamas
& the quick breath you take coming out of a nap
& the um-hmm you tell me when we’re sharing ice cream
& your body in my arms when you jump up and hug me
& your hair through my fingers when we’re driving home
& holding your tiny hand when we walk through the park
& how you shuffle around in the kitchen when we cook dinner together
& our cat who melts around you and can’t stand me
& the perfect fit we make on the love seat
& the other noises you make with me
& how you can eat a whole bowl of popcorn
& the quick kiss you give me when you just get home from work
& your language with your horses
& when you hog the bed
& spending hours playing computer solitaire
& shuffling bills around
& when you pop in and wrap your arms around me when i write
& how you get goofy after one mixed drink
& your jokes with your immediate family
& the way you look in a formal dress
& when you put up with my friends
& how you make omelet’s better than me
& the two cds you own
& somehow you knew it would all work out
& how you get fired up over the same things i do
& the face you make when i surprise you with a candy bar
& when you cry something breaks inside of me
& you can tease me when no one else is allowed to
& how my friends call you mrs.waters
& your big fluffy bath robe that feels like astroturf
& how bright & professional you look in ten minutes before you leave for work
& how you got me hooked on drinking coffee every day
& here you are & here i am
& you’re part of everything i do & see and i wouldn’t have it otherwise.
