In an instant,
your lips seduced by vodka
fell upon my cheek
as we lost footing
into one small twisted
emotion falling
over five eternal stairs
that left us face down
mirrored along
a comforting pavement
emotions sprawled out
light of the bar stretched
into the encapsulating night
taking us hostage under the stars
gleaming over
the BMW chariot
waiting patiently
in parking lots
of burning laughter
caught under wheels that night
squeaking around corners
screeching into
the Santa Cruz beach flats
asking women to shut their windows
while men walk among us with grace
to challenge this integrity
challenge this strength
a strength in words

She says not to speak

brace for the sight of tomorrow
Heads move forth
arms against arms
arms on shoulders
thugs took the soft top
thugs took the $1,000.00 stereo
thugs took a screwdriver to the ignition
thugs took away my eyes from your shudder against the rain
an epileptic fit
I could not seduce this time
when they couldn’t take anymore
I held drops away your face
waiting to give reason
for fear born in broken streets
sex never seemed so appropriate
when we spread those streets with love
It was all we took back.