Trimming The Distance Of A Sigh Poem by RIC BASTASA

learn the
style of the pocket

they say
on a reservation one somehow
pockets a smile

as though it is something
that you can hide like

a pebble in your mouth
and pretend that happiness does not

exist
and cannot exist between the lips


beneath the teeth,
but these principles are true

restrained are our hands sometimes
our bodies not losing its own orbit

in this journey towards a
brighter and much orderly universe

one day i too must learn
to trim the distance covered by my sighs

as though i am
taking a breath beside you

your nose touching mine
your nipple begging for my tongue