Downers Grove
Downers Grove
by my calculations,
one whole bottle of wine
and a half of champagne,
had each passed between us
as we let the night drain
in your basement, drunk, laughing
at tapes you had made.
you will-o’-the-wisp –
i had driven for miles
and crossed two state lines,
to visit a stranger
and be by your side,
with no expectations
and nothing to hide.
i was your guest
it was your wine
so where’d you go?
down the block, by a school,
we staggered, you pushed
me down to the ground.
pixie traveller, i should have
known then what i know now.
you swigged from the bottle
and then set it down…
you were warm for the weather
as we shuddered together.
in those autumn leaves folded
great plans. i was drunk with
your idea — i was loaded.
when you finally kissed me
the future exploded
i was your guest
i needed more
where’d you go?
it was a test: the board set.
you moved your queen against me
once you had me in check.
ready to move,
i was ready to risk,
but you pulled away laughing
before it progressed.
probably wise, woman stopped it
just over the border
that we had just crossed;
still deep in her drunkenness
weighing the cost.
but the future lay wounded
and heaving, and lost.
i was your guest
long ago
so let go