Conception of Love
for Leslie Winer
Remember
when we
were younger
When
it was
acceptable
to lie down
on the sidewalk
Our cheeks
pressed against
the melting
summer cement
The
scent
of
chrysanthemums
and
honeysuckle
clinging
to our clothes
Anxiety
of deadlines
nowhere
to be found
Until
the sun set
signals
our curfew
Slowly
walking home
Holding
dirty hands
clutching
sweaty palms
Trying to extend the magic hour
Holes
in jeans
and
skinned
knees
Band-aids worn
like badges
Embracing
our crutches
Crying
just because
Death
a stranger
we weren’t
allowed
to speak to
Those
moments
when
my eyes
would catch
your eyes
Lingering
Wondering
Who
would be
the first
to laugh
The edges of
your smile
begun to rise
And
I knew
I knew
that you
could hear
this heart
beating
through my cheek
as it melted
the summer sidewalk
-Tate Swindel
Photographs Poetry