The Patient -1

-1

i am nineteen years old
and i meet the girl
who will be my wife
for the first time

i give her a ride
out to the island
where her friends are
for the weekend

she laughs at my
old boat with the
peeling blue paint

later she and i
try to catch fireflies

while her friends
argue and get stoned

+

after this kiss
so lightly

and for so
long on my burning lips

i don't see her
for three years