After Poem by J.L. Nash

not sure why it is but it is
always after
that I feel
I taste
after watching the couple in the movie
make love
pretend to make love
I pretend to make love with you
and after
I slowly sip at the black cup
and it’s sweet I taste candy
and after
I wish it was from your lips I was tasting
not mine

the rain is still here
prurient cool from the heat of my pretending
and after
I will return to the tv finish watching the movie
drink more
want you
pretend you are here
and after
I will fall asleep
waking to write down these words
imagine that you hear
this list of thoughts
which like the rain
will be gone