of under me you so quite new
e.e. cummings, [i like my body when it is with your]
It’s a calculation I made a mistake on
“Space Invader,” The National
I never should have said it like I said
i. these unspokens (innocent taboos)
selected poems by e.e. cummings
a carefully placed bookmark
this first gift to you
these unspokens
innocent taboos
hands joined under tables
knees touching and held there
longings kept out of view
these unspokens
innocent taboos
night incantations conjuring
the impossible possible
lover’s prayers
these unspokens
innocent taboos
parking lots and parked cars
secret sanctuaries
chasing possible
these unspokens
innocent taboos
now spoken and acted
let’s hold on to these
against the squandering
ii. the edge
we visited the edge
didn’t we
i never wanted
that trip
but you needed it
i think
i never wanted to gaze
into that abyss
so i was relieved when
we turned
around hand in hand
to return
our place together
solid ground
the meteors found us
i said
the rainbows helped them
you smiled
—P.L. Thomas