Wednesday, 4 June 2025

IF I HAD THREE LIVES

 

If I Had Three Lives 
After “Melbourne” by the Whitlams 

If I had three lives, I’d marry you in two.
 
The other? Perhaps that life over there
 
at Starbucks, sitting alone, writing – a memoir,
 
maybe a novel or this poem. No kids, probably,

a small apartment with a view of the river,

and books – lots of books, and time to read.

Friends to laugh with, and a man sometimes,

for a weekend, to remember what skin feels like

when it’s alive. I’d be thinner in that life, vegan,

practice yoga. I’d go to art films, farmers markets,

drink martinis in swingy skirts and big jewelry.

I’d vacation on the Maine coast and wear a flannel shirt

weekend guy left behind, loving the smell of sweat

and aftershave more than I did him. I’d walk the beach

at sunrise, find perfect shell spirals and study pockmarks

water makes in sand. And I’d wonder sometimes

if I’d ever find you. 

 by Sarah Russell, first published in Silver Birch Press

No comments:

ABLAZED

The sky is on fire.