Wild Rhubarb
A kiss studied
is more beautiful
than a kiss performed.
It gives nothing away.
When I kiss my wife,
I should remember it.
It never was meant to be
a handshake. And why do
we kiss to say goodbye?
These goodbyes stretching,
crowding the horizon…
A sound is burned but a kiss is alive.
Alive like a moose scarfing wild rhubarb.
George Cassidy Payne is a writer and photographer from Rochester, New York (U.S.). His work has been included in such publications as the Hazmat Review, MORIA Poetry Journal, Chronogram Magazine, Adirondack Almanack, the Mindful Word, Allegro Poetry Journal, Kalliope, Teahouse, Mohave Review, River Poets Journal, Ampersand Literary Review, Califragile, George’s blogs, essays and letters have appeared in Nonviolence Magazine, the Fellowship of Reconciliation, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, the Havana Times, the South China Morning Post, The Albany Times Union, The Syracuse Post Standard, The Buffalo News, and more.