Poetry Maybe #29: Hollowback Girl

He calls you to worship 
at the yoga studio
it's only half moons and garlands

can you enlighten him about trips to Rio
 and could he walk with you in the cosmic garden 

what is the call and response to
 "promise me you'll always be my hollowback girl"

can you resist the way 
he bites his lower lip
and practically knocks you over 
with the glow from his smile
 
then what happens if you cannot find
the glow or trail of him 
is that pain even real if he went on a divergent path?
How long will you feel bewildered 
and the places that he lit up are now dreary 
you can pretend to be fascinated by 
watered-down imitators 

they have a tendency to be thundering 
even though their thundering doesn't come
with lightning, fireworks or even holiday lights. 
a flimsy magic show at best -
magicians can be overconfident with their street act 
the same act is unbecoming in the spotlight
their fake milestones
and noxious spray tans -
which is the only thing that glows
within a mile.


magic impostors are the opposite of
that call and response
in the cosmic garden

will you always be the hollowback girl
of an original magician? 

Poetry Maybe