I Keep You like A Lucky Charm

Your flavored lipsticks ever clutter my car so I have to remember

Neon nights of rainy drives rushing through city traffic lights,

Your silky fingers touching me and your rapid chatter

About stores and friends who will meet us and dance,

About schools and books and dreams of ten minutes

On my Italian couch, which you claim you will make

Your own and even my name you will claim.

Then you say look, you see the girl at the phone by the store,

Her dress is too long and her hair is deplorable.

You would never exchange me for her like.

And by the way I need some bubbles stop right here.

You call me prickly and say a kiss can wait,

And will I shave and please we're late hurry shower,

While in the bath you take another hour, ah well,

You're more than woman, you living picture show.

All I know is you glow in your tight bright dresses

That mannequins in the shops look too heavy to model.

The clothes you wear and you fear I may tear stay white

Though I grope for you in the dark restaurants.

Your ten thousand fragrances intoxicate me always,

And your love for the town streets is exceeded

By your first name acquaintance with every shop lady.

Money is like a toy that you throw away merely to upgrade

To the newest and most fashionable edition in the catalogs.

You'll never be outdone by any magazine cover girl, no,

You'll always steal the show and on your arm

You swing me like a lucky charm.

Vicente Reyes

Spring 1996

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