Dandy Lion

in every sense; saturated yellow

at the neon bar

her eyes fell into me

and took a souvenir as she tiptoed out

You’re like Christine and the Queens

she versed

but her eyes were in the next room

I am seen without eyes; obliterated.

That’s the dandelion power.

Vulnerable to the strong winds

she has gone to seed

a shedding of sunshine and nectar

soft as cotton, grey scale

she will grant you one wish in her notebook

ball point pen a-ready.

Dandily roaring to her own sharp teeth

of quick quips; wickedly sharp and

shoved under her mane

so that you won’t see

the umbilical that

that

just can’t cut, can’t join

can’t touch,

she wants

her childhood duvet

she wants to surrender

and fall on soft grass

an arm of grass

two arms

she wants for you

to hold her tight

and tell her

you’re loving

she wanted you to

always take her in

with a cup of hot milk

and hurry in to tell her

things

will

be beautiful again

but,

but,

Dandelion has gone to seed,

the wind won,

now cotton specks fly

through the sky

and Dandy Lion

is free,

is light,

is everywhere

and her seeds

will fall on the lives

with whom she lit up

with wonderous warmth

just like that night

at the neon bar.

Baby Pony Tail

Your camouflage tracksuits bottoms

my fuchsia jumper you loved to wear

your navy Levi’s hoodie; soft, sporty girl.

Our grey and white fleece Disney pyjamas

a collage of the things you wore around the place

a sleepy face, putting the kettle on.

The lesbian jeans the night we met

your plethora of swimsuits

my favourite – a blue lean dolphin in the cubicle

your bloody flip flops on your beautifully meaty feet

the sound of them around the flat.

Your horror at mine – barefoot and infant

The tacky t shirts with the text I hated

the crisp shirts you wore

with pride.

I

was

so

proud

of

you.

That damn bucket hat that made me cringe

but you thought

you were the coolest

I wouldn’t dare break that

I said nothing

Smiled.

The cringe turned into endearment 

and yet another reason to

love you.

I loved you in that damn bucket hat.

Your baby ponytail I adored and teased

I’ve forgotten the joke, the ponytail joke.

Feels poignant – I’m devastated.

The memories fall out of me

until one day there will be nothing left.