causal connections
Ceding the head trauma filled lesions
That once were seeds planted in my head
Struck by a riot’s kisses
The violent idealist was telling me
Over a meal at his favorite place.
I shrugged and nodded with a half grin
Struggling to keep the food in my mouth.
“At least someone out there understood”
I thought as my smile stretched
From crooked sides
As his blank expression grew
Setting out lines across his face
Reminiscent of tree roots
In symmetry and rhythm.
"Repression grew out of adolescence"
He continued after another gulp of fine wine,
Wiping off his nose
When such behavior
Was out of season.
I was drawn to his confidence
Like a painting that sucks you in.
Caught off guard by words
Reinforced by self-taught thinking.
Taking to me kindly,
I continued to keep sipping
My glass of wine as he poured
Both he and I another.
Deeply impressed
By this rare trust in humanity
He ordered another bottle.
He then said with a grin
"It’s gonna take a little more
To make the pain go away."