I don’t wanna talk/Because I don’t wanna fight

“Hornets,” The National

---

sometimes we must
tiptoe through the garden

carefulness is an act
of love and desire

don’t crush the tomatoes
or the melon vines

blossoms sprouts and dandelions
beckon into the blue sky

because we are bound by
the ethics of tiptoeing

•

i scroll through dozens
of pictures on my phone

searching for ones when
i see you in love with me

i lose track of time
looking again for you and us

can you tiptoe through pictures?
do they freeze time and love?

•

i am being so careful
that i may pass out

holding my breath as i tiptoe
looking for your love

in the labyrinth of pictures
held sacred on a cell phone

maybe we all deserve better
maybe we all should be more careful

•

this fragile carbon fiber love
apologizing for catastrophic failures

just being human and beautiful
like a garden trampled by startled deer

because we are bound by
the ethics of tiptoeing

or at least we should be
this fragile carbon fiber love

•

let’s drive away together
until we arrive at us again

will you walk through the marsh
with me there tiptoeing?

i promise that i will
take plenty of pictures

—P.L. Thomas

—