for my dearest M
let’s forget about the fancy tables for now
the candlelight, the flowers, even the stars
let us make our way instead to the place
we have saved for each other on the table
shoulders touching, ready to feast on this
lovely Valentines spread
we have prepared for ourselves
for apéritif: our tannic isolation
from
the world, COVID-19—
hard to swallow, a strong and tactile
dryness that stays in your mouth
and won’t go away
burns
your throat
takes
your breath
overpowers
your senses
an unsettling prelude
for our main course, a warm and
familiar
togetherness—tender, flavorful,
seasoned
with time and laughter and dreams of
the future
we take our time to marinate our days
with memories
(dancing in the kitchen in
yesterday’s clothes
walking the dog as the sun sets or
when it rains
pillow talks and overtimes and the
smell of mornings)
before
searing off the grease of discontent
then
we will take out our dainty plates and savor this
home
we have built around each other
and finally, after all this, let us make room for
dessert:
an
unassuming love frosted with strawberry dreams
and
dusted with sweet whispers into the night
it
should be enough to last us through this pandemic
but
we can put it in the freezer and take it out
every
time this Valentine hunger lurches up
again
from our bellies
so, my darling, let us hold hands and pray to God to bless
our meal
that He keep it fresh every day and forever, never to
spoil or lose its flavor
for tonight in this table where you and I are the only
guests
