Leftover Suntan Lotion

I want summer to bite me.

Send me to bed wet

With tile mosaics on the bottom of pools

Find new ways to break my heart.

By fall I want everything to be

Leftover suntan lotion.

And gold dusted hair.

Every scar you gave me

I received with the gratitude of warmth

That winter taught me.

I want my skin to be

Cabbage Patch Trademark Red.

Throw in the freckles,

I want to be a different kind of beautiful.

Crack me open and lead my from my nest,

I don't want to fly today.

Let me fall. Let me lose myself

For just a moment. I want to be scared

Out in your oceans, in your brown skin,

Your nights smiling like electric air.

Take me by the wrist and lead my fingers

Over summer seashells without a summer ocean to recall

Brave summer jellyfish with brave

Happy summer tentacles.

Show me the meaning of salt water lungs,

Of shirts glued tightly to bronzed skin.

Answer me in the morning with misplaced love

From my air conditioner.

Make me a part of the river's run,

The Wednesday Sundae, and the Thursday

Fireworks never in July. Light me like a

Roman Candle history lesson.

I want to feel you like a thousand mistakes,

All burning and singing the same song:

Hot summer nights in hot summer blood.