Love, Devotion, Surrender

on the balcony
i dance for what feels like hours
with charles
a friend of someone still unknown
here from out of town
listen to the beat drop
motown
drifting up from the downstairs neighbor’s open window
and even though it’s freezing
he smells warm
of oregon wine and cigarettes
his skin under my hand
luxurious
like an unwrapped hershey’s kiss
i smile when he offers to drive me home
remembering the things that make me feel
and that i’m scared to hold onto
excuse myself to call a cab
and arrive safely at my door
alone