Karmically, I Mumbled

by Jessica Cloud

Alabama summer 
Enticing mimosa trees
An oasis of novelty
In an all-explored backyard

She was like those trees
Telling me stories 
Of pink puffy blossoms
And new adventures

I could watch her walk
Down the hall forever
I should have let her go
The weather it was dry

Took a walk in her hair
One night and then wrapped
It around my fist 
Tugging gently in slow motion

Karmically I mumbled
“I love your hair”
She only heard the first 
Two and a half syllables

Whipping around
Her eyes like faraway lamplights
“What did you say?”
So starlike was her face

Desperation close to the surface
Compassion rose within me 
With denial alongside
And I changed my story

With a banjo on my knee