Teacups

Jennie Barnes

Two by two I put away our life

plates, wine glasses, dessert bowls

teacups you didn’t want

But when I asked if I could make you some

you knew I’d said 

“May I tell you I love you?”

My bookshelves hold last night

Two East Fork mugs and jasmine leaves

I take yesterday out of the bathroom

Two brown espresso cups with sugar slugs

The night before is beside the open game board 

Earl grey, milk for you, I don’t mind that they went cold

“Do you know I love you?”

“Are you happy?”

“Do you enjoy spending time with me?”

yes, yes, yes

Jennie Barnes is intensely flattered when people say Marie Antoinette seems like "such a you movie" and uses it as a excuse to buy herself roses and possibly new shoes as if she doesn't know what happened to Marie Antoinette (she does). Living in Southern California she prefers the beach in the fall when it's harder to love, it belongs to her then.