The breeze was lyrical
The conversation crisp,
almost scripted,
as we sought out a Steadman for Stephanie
and a Southerner for me.
We stood on a crowded balcony
Watching the sun trying to set
and discussed things much smarter than we were
because that was what was required
to be “in.”
I wanted then to walk into the sand
take my shoes off and feel
the cooling grains beneath my toes.
I wanted to take my buzz from a few drinks
out into the beach. Kiss the West Coast
good-bye.
Even before I knew that I was leaving.
But I stood making eyes
at anyone who’d look
and I laughed at every joke
even though I already knew
each punchline
I took another sip of LA
and I can still taste it on my lips.