San Gabriel Valley Poetry Quarterly

Kathryn Rueby

Ode to Pablo and me

 

The public Library
   has informed me
that they have placed
   Pablo Neruda
on hold for me
that
he will be languishing
   on the hold shelf
dreaming of me
 until the 13th of the month
   after which
he will be returned to circulation
 
I arrive, then
   breathless at the loan desk
where he is placed in my arms
   ready for the walk home
when I will clutch him to my bosom
   as my feet shuffle through
the forgotten leaves of desire
 
Later, on the due date
   we may saunter slowly back
he, a few paces ahead
    aloof
no doubt smoking a cigarette
   and thinking of me
with
the soft autumn sunshine
   and a smile upon my face