January 2023

by  Juliet Lockwood

My sometimes lover
I mount your steps today
Not knowing what will happen when I knock
Sometimes you're not here
and I must breathe a sigh
and just keep walking down the block

And sometimes you are here
but with another
and I must smile and make some small excuse
to find my way back down your steps and
back onto the street

Oh how you amuse me with your tastes

But oh so sweet
are those
Sometimes
when with a smile, you let me in
and small talk turns to kissing and embracing
And I find you in my arms again
like so much clay

Days like today
Your lips are soft to mine
belong to only me again
It’s the others’ turn to knock
Soon as I finish you, I’ll set you free again
Let you and fate decide
Who will it be next time?

For if we cannot play
and share
kindly
like our mothers taught
Then I should not

walk up your steps today.