Jessica Thornton

ODE TO THE TRAVEL-SIZED HAIR CONDITIONER I KEEP AT YOUR APARTMENT

for Kyle

& to think: I didn’t even like this city
until I saw it come alive for you
& that sounds like bad song lyrics
but most of my poetry does these days
& anyway it’s true. I wanted to leave this whole
god-forsaken state until I started walking around with you--
you bring things to life, like the burned out stars
in the charred fireplace of my heart.
My whole city, remapped by your love. 

Street signs I used to know the names of now only read,
“Ugh! I’m in love & it’s getting weird!!!”
Like, I-hope-there’s-a-library-in-heaven-because-
even-in-death-I-will-still-want-slow-Sunday-afternoons-
reading-with-you, weird!!!!!

I feel like crying when I think about
how I want several lifetimes with you, & you say,
“As long as you want it, I can promise you one,”
& I decide if I already have the travel-sized conditioner,
I might as well pick up a good hairbrush, too,                       (weird!!!)

because damn.                         I don’t know how much time there is
with you & with this world & with you-and-me together in this world,
let alone together in this poorly designed city, but
if there’s anything at all worth pounding on the keys of the organ
in the cathedral of my heart

(yes--there is both a cathedral & a fireplace in my heart!!!)

it is you, my love, who deserves this song.