A profound exchange
among seductive trysts
that I avoided for Natalia.
Natalia wore the key to my heart
on a necklace.
Natalia fidgeted with it
when she wondered
whether what we had was forever.
And had I cheated, I had in mind
what would happen.
Betrayal would’ve tapped
me on the shoulder.
I’d manipulate concepts
to reword memories
that knitted trust
to define still shots of life
and defy the last red eye.
A creek rushes across dense rocks
with pure intentions,
trailing through a park brings calm.
I chased consequences
until the meaning lacked substance.
This pen that I put on paper
hangs from a noose
as the ink drips with guilty pleasure
over a coffee-stained notepad
it hits me that Natalia will be here
in an hour.
I noticed lights and moved
to the living room.
I spliced the blinds.
I smiled, and my heart skipped a beat.
I closed my eyes and then sighed.
Natalia returned from somewhere
back East, and I know it’s forever.
I opened the door and moved with my hands
in my pockets.
I stood in the long, winding driveway
as she approached.
Natalia turned off the lights,
but she turned on her dome light.
She played with her necklace
with one hand, and with her other hand,
she wiped tears with her fingers.
Natalia exited the car,
removed her heels, and ran
to jump into my arms.
Now I understand trust.