Date Night
April 30 2023
Coffee cups
used condoms
orphaned gloves
appear out of the snow,
as the sun warms
days lengthen
and a desultory rain
nibbles away
at the dregs of winter.
A height of land
where the trail begins
and they keep the parking lot plowed.
Where pimped-out cars are idling,
windows fogged-up
and heavy bass thumping out
a jungle beat
of basic urges.
It smells of half-burned gas
and fast food,
the skunky funk of pot.
Blue exhaust
hovers over the lot,
held down
by the mass of cold soggy air.
Engines purr
headlights beam
cars rock.
Date night
in lovers' lane.
Which makes me think of summer days
and sultry nights,
but here
even in winter
the cars congregate.
Young people
snogging and cuddling
or hoping to get lucky,
while older couples
are either reminiscing
or killing time.
Some hikers walk by
heading for the trail,
intrepid outdoorsmen
who are dressed for rain
and ignore the cold.
Who slog on slushy paths
through icy puddles
in falling light.
Who like a brisk walk;
out with their dogs
and best buds,
or accompanied by lovers
hand-in-hand.
Who look around
a little judgmentally;
wondering why here
in cramped interiors
on cold vinyl seats?
But either way
good exercise
on a damp night
on the cool cusp of spring.
