'nothing worse than once having the best' (truth, still the best)

'nothing worse than once having the best' (truth, still the best) timothy r gates, 1/15/2011
 
being told that you're a great son
that you deserve, and have, first Trombone chair
hearing and getting that aloof Guitar riff
adolescent masturbation
the same, but by a mature hippie
singing and playing on a mountain side
love's embrace
a friend's conversation
Déjà vu
bibliophile sharing
dream job, never feels like it's too much
when a mouth's sketch is found
when an eye's twinkle doesn't look like parody
(bush strokes and hues, like
the sublimity of rice with lemon and fresh dill)
telling your child they're the best, and they love it
the first time you want to read a book a second time
each time you read a beloved Poet's, any, line
the look in the eye of your friend
(she's sitting at a Poetry reading, and she knows
the Poem was inspired by her)
the first time you stand in front of a Van Gogh
the third time I read 'A Gentle Creature'
fifty-fifth time I read aloud 'From pent up aching rivers,' for another
that look
that touch
that knowing
intuition, every time
every first kiss, every time
lingering
applause
stillness