Spicy Peppers

We both are lost somewhere inside
The sweaty sizzle of the Thai food
In a restaurant so hot and steamy
I can nearly read the menu off your forehead.

I have lately realized that even iron stomachs
Do at times regret
Certain delicious spicy peppers.

I can tell this moment
It is firing throughout your thoughts,
And yet I know I can't start it with you.
We're friends enough
I'm well aware you never see a romance through,

But dancing round colliding eyes,
You talk between bites of noodles and shrimp
Of Doctorow and Rich.
I squint and see you
In the front seat
Riding slow to airports, beaches,
Bedsides inside countries I can barely say.

I often heed these warnings
Like the tiny writing
Telling me I shouldn't eat 
The cookie dough
Still raw,

But over bowls of kway teow pad thai,
I know exciting nights
Would end with me
Enjoying rice alone,
Kincaid and Richard Price and Irving
Tragically unanalyzed.

- 6/16/26

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