i like the bartender

i’ll walk away leaving bread crumbs to hope when im old and love is tired i can find my way back to this place.
I.
something must be said in her defense, like two padded
hands, touching between red and black
gloves. the thaw of skin rubbed down by blankets. winter has
good intention with her frigidity. its not aimless, her reasoning with the wind.
they do not go blindly, when lovers sip coffee between
blue lips. a night with so many, many stars.
it is this chill that has warmed me so near to you
this chill that has burned our skin electric, do
you want to come over tonight? ive turned the heater on, we can open the windows
to smoke cigarettes at dawn. complain about the cold, rub noses in spite of it,
dear winter has a secret, more miraculous than snow,
warming bunny toes before bedtime, youll fall asleep first, i hope.
its always raining, youll be smelling of soap.
how quickly we forget what it was like to be cold.

II.
unbelievable amounts of whiskey make me brave, do you want
to come over tonight?
red flower blooms from her chest, only watching lip to lip
speaking, cant help needing, i lie again
in her face, it feels like whiplash when the music stops
it feels like rubbing noses with
otter pops, this boy leans against my arm
like a wall, it doesnt seem fair he should lean so good. someone makes a call from a
long distance place, youll be smelling of soap when your plane lands.
with winter in your backpack, ill have to remind your fingers
you are home. but there is lone-liness
inside the oranges you peel at three am.
it is bitter because it was from safeway, damn them, you smile,
i should have known the fruit would sour.