First and Next Things
No matter what,
there is always persistence
of first glories:first words, first steps,
first face tacky with syrup,
first shredding of gift paper
and first rapture of surprise,
first shoelace tied,
first smile of teacher at right answer,
first fumble/kiss behind schoolshed
or in the tingle dark of cinema,
first day at work,
first purchase of gift for another
with first pay packet,
first car, first home, first child,
first moments of sheer definition
as breath invigorates lungs
and eyes shimmer as you smileAnd no matter what,
there is always the next breath,
always its firework heart/lung dynamic,
always the precise hunger of eyes, ears and skin
for the birdcall of your next morning
when night quivers with first stroke of light,
for next perfume of lovers' sweat,
for next time you see a child waddle first steps,
its face searching a parent's face,
for next chill of your throat with a deserved drink,
for next crunch of leaf under foot as you visit friends
or walk the block for the sheer hell of it,
for next stroke on cheek by sun, lover or babe,
for next cycle of tides, seasons or horoscopes,
next breath, next smile, next prospect of touch,
when each moment scintillates like a moonshot.
