Haint Blue Boy (Poem)

I can count every beat of laughter,

can count every line you've rolled over your tongue at me,

to bring me light,

and make me smile.

And we're in your car,

and you're making that look with the wide smile,

and speaking in that deep tone that reminds me,

even in this wreck of a life that I've got something to hang onto,

a someone named you.

And I was losing sleep,

but now when I close my eyes,

I keep the good days next to me,

and there are demons,

howling,

somewhere across the river,

but let them howl,

because your eyes are haint blue

and you're always next to me,

and the monsters can't cross the flowing water inside them.

And I could be losing my mind,

because if love makes of you a fool,

you've made of me the biggest jester you'll ever find,

this pirouette,

dressed in white,

and dancing only for you,

you,

you.

So you'll make me yours,

and I'll grow into someone you deserve,

with all the promises that we're worth,

and I'll remember every silly,

serious,

beautiful word,

and every melody,

song,

and chord.

Just like the way you push your hair from your face,

behind your ear,

when you're about to really laugh.

Building life and love from the intelligence we've been deciphering in blanket forts,

through those long nights of sleepover reconnaissance,

powered by Oreos,

laughter,

and 007 kisses.

And so perhaps we are still kids,

and love with the lens of their fantastical?

Because it's all been written in the bed sheets,

as we kick them to the end of the bed and make everything on my side a mess,

every morning as you show me you are here to love me,

even if I'm a bit of a mess,

cause that's how you really like it,

and I really like you,

my person,

my greatest friend,

I love you to death.

bvk, 2019.