introduction to iris
sweat drips down my neck as i click
launch zoom meeting, and
the kind woman from my inbox greets me.
her name is mary,
and within seconds of meeting her
i know i am in good hands.
she keeps her questions casual
and i begin to relax
as we talk i realize how long it’s been since
i wrote for fun – simply for the sake of putting words on the page
i realize how badly i want this, need this
finally, i want to write again.
twilight movie nights
a soft knock on the door: a question,
the door creaking open: an answer.
you smile, and welcome us inside
where the table is already set
packaged popcorn and hot cocoa powder
an assortment of mugs.
we each grab plushie and blanket and settle onto the couch,
snacking and sipping while the television blinks to life.
most of you have never seen twilight before,
but i have watched it enough to last each of your lifetimes.
i begin quoting each line by memory – by heart –
and you listen, and we laugh.
k-expo with apex
each heart pounds an erratic rhythm
we look right and left at one another
the hours of wait are over as we are summoned
backstage – as we walk down hallways,
whispering softly.
stomach clenched, hands clasped
i breathe in, you breathe with me.
last minute instructions, reminders, encouragement
i breathe out
and then we hear the words
“apex dance crew was the first-”
and we smile.
lighting of the lawn
the cold penetrates my layers,
so i draw my body closer to yours,
as we line up for hot chocolate
with our heads craned towards the screen
waiting for the show to start.
we crowd around
laughing, joking, complaining about
the people pushing past us.
where are they going in such a hurry?
the night has only just begun,
and for a few moments i forget
that one day this will end.
