dedicated to my dear davis. i miss you every day.
hot plastic heated my tulle toddling garments
as i slipped trying to boulder a two foot slide
borrowed plastic sparked atop my head
declaring my royal status to all on the playground
a foreign, fluffy-headed hero
appeared at the top of my mountain
and guided me to a castle
where we sequestered away until our parents came
with the promise of lunch.
hot blood flooded your face once five years passed
in an elementary circle swapping whispers post-class
your cat was unbagged
a voice echoing how you fancied
a slide-climbing princess.
hot thrill warming the salty waves that tickled up my body
wading into another escapade
while secretly clinging to each other
“three squeezes means i love you”
he told me i can squeeze his hand back
swimming through blue towers
seaweed tied our limbs together
then you’d throw it on my head
and through my squeals i felt royal again.
hot pride, hot embarrassment, hot hatred
were frequently swapped in our loving ties
yet through a year-long cloud of bickering
our mothers murmured with each other about how
we could have beautiful children
our infatuated chapter would end and reopen
quietly holding pinkies in the back of the group
i, reinstated ruler.
hot tears still spring, a year and some change later
a year and some change later, I’m still enraged
when i see trucks on the highway
when i remember our stories
when i drive past the ground you’ll never leave.
cold wind rustled the white petals i lowered on your place
i’m supposed to see you
your success
your kids
your aged balding
we grew up together
were supposed to grow old together
but now i can just remember you
as my fluffy-headed hero.