Tammy Armstrong (Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada): "Affair with my Partner after Spring Haircut/Shave"

This begins my affair:
this new face in our bed.

Fastidiousness spatchcocked
into shiftless lust
in a basement tavern
where base boys
dance with undergrads.
We drink with blind date enthusiasm.

Treat me proverbial,
chalky with wine & newness,
bringing it all to bed
while he’s away on a road trip.

This perennial hook-up
leaves alarm clocks,
toothbrush rituals in the margins.
Back story:
a much younger you,
a .12 gauge, a chipmunk.
The words don’t matter at last call.

Take me home in the van—
a box of finishing nails
chattering
in the back,
a weeks worth of Globes & Mails
nested on the passenger seat.

If they ask, tell them—
yes, we left the Chevron
near the Tannery
around three—
a new pack of smokes
paid for from an ambitious wallet.
Clearly, single before tonight.

© Tammy Armstrong 2006