hi gentle ghosts
a voice drifted from café steam
it spoke hush truths
too shy for bright lights
thread of night wove
a concert no one else hears
dream bandstand plays
only my heart keeps the beat
we trade shy notes
by breathing in the same air
one hundred heartbeats
per turn, a tiny rosary
melody first
then harmony curls like smoke
rhythm settles
deep as knees in cool grass
D climbs, E lifts
F sharp blushes, G holds my hand
small step, small fall
inside one borrowed second
kneeling inside
the hush between two pulses
bossa clave taps
church shoes sneak onto street tiles
off-beat giggle
drum-soul tugs my sleeve loose
dizzy kindness
shakes the dust from my ribs
quiet parade
only we know the route
measure one hush
we pinch silence like cookie dough
sustain, then snip
a heart-shaped note floats away
tap the wood skin
piano becomes a window
wind wanders through
old temple stones, perfectly tilted
a faraway chair
coughs “not a masterpiece, dear”
i smile polite
masterpieces are too loud
this is a spark
slipping through the smallest gate
thank you for coins
that let two shy hearts orbit
vive la soft
the gentlest kind of riot
