day stretches
boring numbness
whining
i am thirsty
drink your spit
fizzy bottles tempt
can i have?
yes, one
and him?
okay, two
it might take two
we slurp
we chomp
we guzzle until orange flecks
float in your green bottle
sidewalk hot
store dark
not a hard choice to make
we squint
we kick feet,
pumping them
like backyard swing power
as though bench is flying
we wait
we wait
we wait
it might take two
door opens
we scream and run
we jump and fly
land
laughing in a pile of warm cloth
and too-hot metal
doors close
windows down, music up
reverse and forward
giggly home
until
shoes wherever
we sit
puppy-eyed, knee up, grass down
day fades too away
summer short
it might take two
The Chengdu Chapter 