Blonde Bangs and Extra Cigarettes
by Rocco Lungariello

She crossed her legs over the edge of the bed
as if in a waiting room, bored and illiterate;
a certain tightness in her eyelids blanketed
by blonde bangs and extra cigarettes.

We met at work, after I had been expelled
from college and had to ask for my sad old
position back as a file clerk with a swarm of physicians.

She stood up and we took off our clothes
like children anxious for the pool.

I wanted first to lay down like we do when it’s done,
when we shake parallel, her face turning putty
in my hands, suction cup kisses till we laugh
and I lick her teeth clean.

But she made it to the bed first, with that look,
coming out like her clothes, her breasts spreading
as she kicked up her toes till I pulled off her purple
socks that somehow still turn me on.

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