The In-Between

I have a friend.
She watches as
January 2 through February 14
Throws up everywhere
Red hearts, pink fake gas station flowers
And mocking white teddy bears
In every Walgreens across Hallmark America
Stating like a last resort: "Be Mine."
Okay, mocking white teddy bear
I will be yours.
Awesome.

Perhaps she will be throwing up
Noir red herself tonight.
Or maybe
She will be coercing
Like a wandering church prayer
To just fall sleeping
Until February 15 saves her.

Either way
She will be celebrating the Hallmark
Beginning of St. Patrick's Day
Fabulous plastic green shamrocks
Eating up 70% off Whitman's heart boxes
A green beer holiday not even born
In this country.
Commercialized Irish ecstasy,
Sweet Jesus,
She'll take it.

If only she knew
The here-to-there between of
Future somewhere love eluding her
Until
He doesn't.

Who will drink her everything up
From tear to happy tear
And quiet to sorrowful quiet
And life to everyday life.

Who will fill her up enough
To remember those mocking white teddy bears
And forgive herself
For forgetting all she is
364 other days of in-between

Somewhere,
Her someone
Not here today
Until
He is.