Sync by Rhea Melina

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Press your brow against mine. Feel my breath upon your open mouth.

I want to know about your life. 

What has it been like?

Did you get that picket fence when you wanted it? Right when you wanted it?

Did it keep your dogs in? Did you paint it in the Summertime?

Did you get drunk and drive your truck through it?

Did you wake up one morning to find

         coyotes on your lawn, morning glory in your gutters,

         moldy covid masks in the driveway? Believe me when I tell you

none of it matters anymore. Hold my hand and feel

the landmarks swirl around us.

I want to know how you like to be talked to

so tell me and teach me with your hands

how you like to be treated. Press your brow against mine.

Feel my forehead finally relax. Wait, let’s take our glasses off.

The details matter but we don’t have to think about them all of the time.

You say you never had fences.

You say you’re sober now.

I say what the fuck is the point 

of a pillow case, anyway?

Do you mind that I’m made of brick and mortar?

Does it bother you when I drink? It doesn’t have to be 

everyday, in fact I like to keep things special

so I try not to wear anything out

except traditions handed to me after their expiry 

or phrases I am working through.

Wait, this would be better if I stopped talking

though I could talk to you for hours.

Hold my hand until it sweats. 

I know your heart is broken

and I wouldn’t have it any other way

than to love someone who practices humanity.

You cry as you scroll through the grief and tragedy

and keep searching for delights anyway.

Did you know this whole time, our heartbeats

are synchronized? Did they not teach you that in school? 

That when a child burns to death anywhere on our planet

We all fall off the metronome 

but when we touch, airs drop like bombs

and we sync up again.

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Rhea Melina is a multi-ethnic poet, parent and Montessori guide who lives in Seattle. She has been writing and putting out poetry since the early 2000’s. Her chapbooks include Fireant (SSO Press, 2005), These are not secrets (XYZ Animal Stars, 2009), and a place to put things (Bottlecap Press, 2023). A full-length collection of her poetry, found confetti, is now available from Carbonation Press.