Just Not Tonight

I will withhold everything
in a sachel. My words taste
bittergreen winter's skein
wrapped around my tongue.

Dammed rivers flow hotter
floating fish fodder for fires
streaking over water
pollution, oil, paraffin

rocky river basin swells
against growing pressure.
It creates its own weather
warrior leather love lies

in cracked tatters. I felt
your breath on the back
of my neck. Like salsa,
sangria, sambas and Rita;

losts nights in lost lands
in other people's lives. My story
is static. There's nothing
drastic about it. Each smell

has its own origin located
in time. I remember this
smell from a long time ago:
it was time before time

before rhyme and rhythm
built castles from chests
beating hearts fantastic starts
parked cars by sea stars.

Percolating Perseids pierce
the sky. I pick up the pieces
and store them in my pouch.
Another night, another night;

just not tonight.