The Girl In The Chuck Taylor All-Stars (+1)

Her hair blown free,

with eyes ablaze

 

She walked toward me,

through morning haze

 

Her steps unmeasured,

her cutoffs tight

 

Eyes palest blue,

the lightest light

 

Would I speak first,

would she respond

 

In ten more seconds,

her image gone

 

Our shoulders brush,

she passes by

 

My arm goes numb,

my heart on fire

 

I had no choice,

I’d lost control

 

My breathing stopped,

I’d play the fool

 

And looking back,

all fear defied

 

An all-star waited

—her ‘Chucks’ untied

 

(State College Pennsylvania: June, 1969)

 

 

Forever Alive

 

Fighting against you, attacking with words,

hatred my weapon inscribed

 

Fountains of blood each chapter exudes,

keeping you distant—forever alive

 

(Penn Medicine Radnor: April, 2020)