Witch from Minnesota

Her spell remains over me 44 years later Once a bumblebee has kissed the nectar of Snapdragon The creature is fever of succulence She says, “You kiss so softly I think it’s a thing with guys with braces My name is Bob.” That’s quite a coincidence After our third day at Civitan camp in Albion High school awaits us all this fall Someone wants to get their claws in us first Suggests a new decade can be a better album spinning on its turntable Then one from the 70s I’m not so sure after all the Eagles and Fleetwood Mac We sit together on a sidewalk Still warm from the day’s sun A bouquet of flowers cool overhead Her lamp post hand rests on my blue jeans She says she’s a witch and comes from Minnesota “Bob from Minnesota.” I say “That’s right. Bob from Minnesota. I came just for you.” Moves her hand to my cheek traces her fingers to my lips Abdomen to ovule I remember her like this And I suppose that is a magical spell as much as any Long straight blond hair parted down the middle Curtains half pulled back from the stage lights of her blue eyes Thin lips a shoreline A girl from Minnesota with a Michigan boy’s same name Who says I kiss softly due to my braces When I know it’s because I’ve never kissed a soft neck mystery Until now First taste of living free from home She smokes a cigarette I can’t believe it I ask for one she says “No I don’t think so.” We talked much through that evening About what? I have no memory But she says when I dream of her she’s thinking of me I sometimes still dream of her a lifetime later Wish she’d come back Wish I could rediscover how to kiss softly Away from home again A witch’s neck from Minnesota I also remember My dad said he was shocked at camp pick up When he watched his young boy right in front of him Kissed goodbye for so long and so softly on the lips By an unafraid girl.