They were mine for a moment
and though I tried to own it,
my grasp was too uncertain
to keep it secure.

Like walking through a curtain
from nervous to splendor,
I had seen all I'd needed to bite
that juicy dream, but like an

éclair from the deli
it was cold with cherry jelly,
the crust still frozen,
the custard too thin.

Blanching at the sweet kiss,
shaking back my reasons,
I saw the truth through regret's painful haze.

And the
sugar
high
rose me
past
the shame.

Over
winter
skies,
I saw
blue
over rain.

Where the Gods
and fools
and astronauts
and every sod
that bought
a spot
could fly.

Something yellow and special said,
"Goodbye."
And my

hubris lost its purpose and I began my dive.
The way down so fast it squeezed my cheeks aside.
My freefall so chilling, the tears froze to light.
And the

fog of their bad day
unfurled to rain
soaked paved
streets that shone
like night.

It was painful.
It didn't hurt me.
When despair
welcomed me

back to gravity.