Four Seasons

No broken families

at the four seasons

just me on the beach

a discrete anomaly

No broken families

at the four seasons

just thin sullen teens

from Texas on holiday

It feels good to witness

these families up close

as if i’m an alien

quietly taking notes

No broken families

at the four seasons

just couples teamed up

together till they die

No broken families

at the four seasons

just jade-colored pools

and periwinkle skies

They talk about golf

like they’re actually happy

last year in St. Kitts

this year they’re in Maui

Their voices flow by me

with lightness and ease

Calling out for their kids

—a touching receipt

No broken families

at the four seasons

just mahogany dads

turning brown into pink

An unusual shade that

reminds me of Christmas

or a Thanksgiving ad

with roast turkey skin

No broken families

at the four seasons

just care and belonging

that is tender to see

And i can’t help but wonder,

even though i feel lucky,

if life had been different,

could that have been me?

I could’ve been a woman

with a windbreaker on!

Thick, shiny black hair

tied back in a bun

Discreet diamond studs

that winked in the sun

a child in each hand

Oh, see how they run!

I guess what I’m saying

is i’d like to taste

a slice of security

one piece of the cake

what are the ingredients?

what if i can’t bake?

maybe no one can

we all just have to pretend

i put down my pen

my heart starts to ache

no longer feeling

like i’m on a holiday

i say to myself

“that’s

e n o u g h

for today

you can’t have it all

life is not

a buffet”