I started Early

Emily Dickinson never saw the sea.

I made a joke at her expense yesterday and I feel badly about it. I feel badly about certain other things, as well.




Young love is such a fragile thing,
It is itself uncertain how best to thrive -
When the thrust of mandate finds the time is fit
That you depart and in your place these words survive.

“April is the cruelest month,” he said,
Eliot and I at the okay party room.
Expectations sliced as hoods and served in bowls,
I know better now than to eat of it.

Well before I stood and watched,
Put your drinks up, Sumo, I never would have guessed it.
I guess the change in my pocket wasn’t enough and I’m like
I can’t even write this.

Well before we lay together on a couch,
Lacing fingers gently pressing lips against your hairline.
It’s darker than I would have expected and I kiss again -
I am still on that couch and where are you the rest is nothing.

“I started Early – Took my Dog –“
I did, too, and it was so much harder than I wanted.
Now is not the time for this she’s not the one
How did you get in here you’re hogging the blankets.