dear frank

across the land i can still smell you
a smell of truth and secrets
precious soul, won't let itself break
i dance, a crazy sister
in a room, in a home
away from home
a room filled with music
"smile like you mean it"
the phrase waves itself into my soul
     and i sway
thinking of people i can't see
alone with all the lamps on
i smile out on the softly falling snow
the hazy-blue, violet-gray night. . .
the icy blanket has been falling
to rest for a day and a night
into another night
     i am warmed by it
standing before my open window
shirtless
hot pink satin bra
sweats cut off at the knees
and tenny-shoes untied
now just socks
     swaying
smile like you mean it floats in and out of me
and I smile
softly
as softly as the snow falls
smiling at what I see
     and I mean it
the streetlight breathes softly yellow
alone
as I am in my tower
     and I am not sad
for there are things to do here
i clean and dance, gliding on my dust
dreaming of lost friends
of faraway brothers
and imaginary princes
     for the music is playing
 and outside, the snow is falling
telling us all, in its own soft way
slow down
 

Katie Scholla