rolodex
i.
stumbling drunk up spadina road in the cold i confessed my shame at having shot that coyote on cris' farm you called me atticus finch and soothed all
ii.
sat across one another in a hazy bar at a table too small for us both i remember the way our knees touched when you locked eyes with me and told me you felt it too the electricity
iii.
me: you look ravishing
you: so ravish me
iv.
late nights in small spaces creating sharing indulging in one another
v.
my first game of carrom and the scent of baby powder the touch of old wood my handprints upon your caramel skin like powdered sugar
vi.
meeting you in the animation studio to 'study' or 'watch drawing videos' our hands were burning
vii.
entering the deserted banquet hall at the ritz-carlton how the cascading white lights framed your smile
viii.
your stoned purr magically taking on the sound of your sister's own in all its gentle wisdom
ix.
surrendering to your hands the way they brushed your hair the way you swooped your eye makeup before class
x.
whenever anxiety took over you gently spoke to me like calming a horse and stop the onslaught
xi.
making out on the basement couch you rose to excuse yourself in a loose black top fidgeting that moment innocence and youth became you
xii.
book shopping book hunting book trading book reviewing brainstorming about books with you
xiii.
analysis debate argumentation subjects historical and literary ie what is the canon and who decided it was so
xiv.
thirst to uncover more more of you more of your mind your heart your body slaked momentarily by every word you say
xv.
messaging our favourite books to learn that so many were the same you showed me junot diaz to send your coded message
xvi.
seeing you for what felt like the first time outside the gallery standing in the rain
xvii.
sitting in a darkened theatre listening to your tales of columbo i feel the sun the warm breath of the ocean wind spice on the air
xviii.
when you would recount russian history to me in mornings afternoons spent tangled together
xix.
opening a paratrooper knife with a snap of the wrist when you said i like you
xxi.
analytical discussion of comics creators heroes heroines
xxii.
how your hair drapes just low enough in velvet waves of blue-black hanging over me like waterfalls
xxiii.
watching you stretch the arch of your back the crane of your neck
xxiv.
eyebrows like needle fine strokes of a quill in darkest sepia ink
xxv.
thunder in the night at moma's making love the storm echoed in every gasp the lightning in our mouths
xxvi.
words from your mouth: 'baked good' 'two single shot americanos' 'do whatever you want' 'devour me'
xxvii.
opening my eyes to see you opening yours knowing a new day has started
xviii.
the angle of that knowing smirk like the break of dawn on your lips when we meet
xviv.
hearing you say otra vez as you climbed aboard the streetcar you watch me from the window i knew that you would leave
stumbling drunk up spadina road in the cold i confessed my shame at having shot that coyote on cris' farm you called me atticus finch and soothed all
ii.
sat across one another in a hazy bar at a table too small for us both i remember the way our knees touched when you locked eyes with me and told me you felt it too the electricity
iii.
me: you look ravishing
you: so ravish me
iv.
late nights in small spaces creating sharing indulging in one another
v.
my first game of carrom and the scent of baby powder the touch of old wood my handprints upon your caramel skin like powdered sugar
vi.
meeting you in the animation studio to 'study' or 'watch drawing videos' our hands were burning
vii.
entering the deserted banquet hall at the ritz-carlton how the cascading white lights framed your smile
viii.
your stoned purr magically taking on the sound of your sister's own in all its gentle wisdom
ix.
surrendering to your hands the way they brushed your hair the way you swooped your eye makeup before class
x.
whenever anxiety took over you gently spoke to me like calming a horse and stop the onslaught
xi.
making out on the basement couch you rose to excuse yourself in a loose black top fidgeting that moment innocence and youth became you
xii.
book shopping book hunting book trading book reviewing brainstorming about books with you
xiii.
analysis debate argumentation subjects historical and literary ie what is the canon and who decided it was so
xiv.
thirst to uncover more more of you more of your mind your heart your body slaked momentarily by every word you say
xv.
messaging our favourite books to learn that so many were the same you showed me junot diaz to send your coded message
xvi.
seeing you for what felt like the first time outside the gallery standing in the rain
xvii.
sitting in a darkened theatre listening to your tales of columbo i feel the sun the warm breath of the ocean wind spice on the air
xviii.
when you would recount russian history to me in mornings afternoons spent tangled together
xix.
opening a paratrooper knife with a snap of the wrist when you said i like you
xxi.
analytical discussion of comics creators heroes heroines
xxii.
how your hair drapes just low enough in velvet waves of blue-black hanging over me like waterfalls
xxiii.
watching you stretch the arch of your back the crane of your neck
xxiv.
eyebrows like needle fine strokes of a quill in darkest sepia ink
xxv.
thunder in the night at moma's making love the storm echoed in every gasp the lightning in our mouths
xxvi.
words from your mouth: 'baked good' 'two single shot americanos' 'do whatever you want' 'devour me'
xxvii.
opening my eyes to see you opening yours knowing a new day has started
xviii.
the angle of that knowing smirk like the break of dawn on your lips when we meet
xviv.
hearing you say otra vez as you climbed aboard the streetcar you watch me from the window i knew that you would leave