Totally
it is
the voice of Phyllis Hyman
or whoever you got on your Bluetooth playlist
while you buzz around the house
doing this
or doing that
or efficient efforts in doing absolutely nothing
so angelic in your accomplishments
or not
it is
the heads secretly nodding at the supermarket
behind the backs of their own wives
checking out the honey ham on sale for the kid’s school lunches
and you
just wearing my old college hoodie and jeans
choosing this
or choosing that
or bypassing it altogether
we already got too many at home
and don’t really need to have it all
it is
you walking through the church doors
the preacher man suspends his holy dance in midair
quite sure
the holy ghost done sent their best angel to grace the aisle seat
third pew to the left
and them front row
colorful Baptist hats
turn
swiveling in unison like ballerinas in Swan Lake
remembering not so many years ago
it was them
who used to make heads turn
it is
the glare of mirrored shades on the beach
hiding jealous staring eyes
twinkling in the sun like
Hollywood strobe lights on opening night
you
passing by rows of lounge chairs
choosing this or
choosing that
the best palm tree shade
and premier unobstructed ocean view
and I am
just happy to take a selfie with you
proof for posterity that I am
totally immersed
totally satisfied
wallowing like a fat kid at the ala carte breakfast line
in the sounds
in the holiness
in the beauty of the blackness
of your love
****
Poems (c) Newpanther
Photo: Jamez Picard Unsplash modified