Shaking

Was it a real memory

from long ago?

Or just a dream of a memory

from long ago?

It was one of those

fried fish and fried chicken places where she worked

*

he was shaking as he stood there with her

and he asked her to hold him for a little bit

but she said she couldn't, she needed to get to work

and he said please, just this once

she looked at him

and then she placed her arms

around him

and she could feel the intensity of

his shaking

and he pulled her tight against

his body

and he said hold me as if you were never

going to let me go

and her chest heaved against him

as she held him

and his shaking stopped as they

stood there as if they would never let each other go

and...finally, they slowly let go of each other

and...she started to shake

and...she said please hold me

and...he placed his arms around her

and...she was late for work that day