the first: watashiwa piano
mizue takada on the walkman. my japanese

is like fractured helium. i'm wearing paradise
pink bobbles in my folded hair. my fingers are

origami swans. i shuffle my nerves to the corners
of my mouth. he is coming closer. we talk nicknames

& canasta & pizza. he walks into my kiss. then he says:
wanna play 'go' sometime? i could kick your

blossom bottom.

 
the second: dadra
eating subji on the train. a sitar as purple as dad's.

the pineapple sunset is scraped with morning red.
you always wanted the trip of a lifetime. this scene

was just the ticket. as we share bad wine you lean in.
pulling out a fantale & a pink handkerchief you swear.

then: hey baby, was this the way you pictured it?

 
the third: before Nirvana
        banana clips. balloon shoes. baggies.

baroque. batwing blouses. big bangs. bicycle shorts.

        bermuda shorts. bolero jacket. bubble gum jeans. bows.

bra shirts. bullet belts & bandanas.
this is the backdrop for a bad night. bowled over

by the eighties. you have a solid navy top.
i hate the way you always smack my mum on the ass

& then talk to me about commitment.

 
the fourth: during the Dirty Three
we made out like punk music & stared at each other

like alt country. you were severe in every brush stroke.
all that alcohol & loopy band behaviour. i loved your

hook & kink but couldn't stand the love quotes from
random books. we held hands during jim's drums.

i cringed when you said: this is the theme to my sadness.

 
the fifth: after Charles Mingus II B.S.
'Often when I'm sitting at the piano , developing a piece,

it's difficult to put a label on the particular feeling I have going.'

        Charles Mingus
smashmouth bittenbabe. this was the chase. you

were tenor to my sax. just when the shuffle started
you said: i'm moving to spain. i like the weather

& the women. i couldn't think of the words.
how do you say go ahead in spanish &

shit in a calm voice.