darling
by Anna G. Richardson
A child with honey curls
and rosy cheeks, dimples,
shining eyes, or
a compliment–
oh, what a darling little cottage,
what a darling dress,
something fancy British women let
drip off their tongues like oil,
dahhhling,
rhymes with starling, a bird with
a talent for mimicry,
becomes daring when stripped
of the right letter,
and best of all, a
word you whisper to me,
a caress, feather light,
pushing my hair off my face, tucking
stray strands behind
my blushing ears for safekeeping:
goodnight, darling.
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