Anna's Boots

The room was full that first time,

But I picked you out right away

As if you had called to me in a secret language,

Like a high tone that only dogs can hear.



When you found me,

I was screwing around with little cotton clouds

When what I had gotten a taste for

Was the whole damn sky.



You asked me, "Do you trust me, baby?

I want to see how far I can fling you."

I said yes, because I already knew

How angels and devils sometimes create beautiful sin out of half-holy alliances.



My favorite devil was gone, and I missed her--

Time had not shook loose of me yet;

And so I searched for her echo in our short weeks together,

But all that I found was a dissatisfying ticking, like boots on pavement, walking away.

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for Magpie 32