It was so short
yet it has stood so long
in my memory:
that spring when
we found each other
a box of chocolates
and a card and a bonfire
and a smoky embrace
nights driving through
those curving, dark,
North OC streets
jumping fences
hiding in closets
the parking lots
the day-lit parks
the frustrated yelling
the bitter tears
the blurry ending
and beauty that
never left
it was
a perfect
first love.
narinda heng 