' ' ' ' Old Flames Still Burn You Up Poem by Dónall Dempsey

WORDS! WORDS! WORDS!

“I thought it would be
exciting

a real life flesh & blood
poet of your own

but you turned out to be
just paper & words.

You go all soggy
in the rain or the bath

and tear so easily
even with a teardrop.”

She lit another cigarette
and inadvertently set me alight

our relationship
going up in flames.


*******

IT’S NEVER TOO LATTE TO STOP NOW!

Ahhhh...at last
we had gone out for coffee

But she only mocked me
over her Mocha.

“Did you ever really think I could
would...fancy you? ”

She laughed incredulously

licking her top lip slowly
with the tip of her tongue.

I had a quick Espresso

and left

her laughter
echoing

behind me.