Tragedy Came Later. For now- a Good Moment.

James Croal Jackson

California, 2014, in her brother’s  

bed, we could have went home 

 

but didn’t.  

 

Instead, we cuddled and slept  

in only underwear.  

 

I woke up alone  

to find her on the couch.  

 

We nuzzled our faces before  

finally walking into the sun– 

 

already dripping wax, 

feeding desert flowers 

 

in its best attempt 

to stave the rain. 

 

We spent the day 

unworried and otherwise 

 

apart.