Island Affair

I had an affair that lasted

seven days and six nights.

His celadon eyes, grapefruit skin,

and coconut breath entranced me.

Drunk, I sprawled on his beige

body and let his hands trace

circles, in waves, over my skin.

On the sixth night, both drunk on rum,

he persuaded me to stay,

raise kids under palm trees,

and make a living braiding hair.

I knew it had to end, then.

He wished to be a faithful husband

of Bahamian life.

I was a bohemian mistress

pretending he was home.

The next morning, he was gone,

his side of the bed still balmy,

scented with citrus and warm sand.

Lindsey Vernon