[Header Photo by Arno Smit on Unsplash]

sometimes she would forget
and begin to draw intently
in the head of her beer
with her little finger nail
painted dark dark green

he would watch her rapt
(three healing blisters
on her palm from climbing)
before softly saying and smiling
you going to drink that

sometimes she would forget
anyone else could be beside her
slipping into her solitary garden
until a gentle hand or word
startled her back to the moment

so when she was alone
right there beside him
he felt like a fingernail drawing
disappearing in the head of a beer
no one was drinking

sometimes they would talk about god
like playing chess blindfolded
or she would take his hand in hers
or text him while he was away
i have a story for you when you get home

—P.L. Thomas