"For the Real Ones & I" by Ernest Williamson III

To Donna in Summer.

Before the bell, the F grade.

Dawn can set, then rise.

She can warm her shoulders.

Assure her wedding rings two.

Assuage her yellow eyes

Without tears, gas, or lighting

her husband’s cigar to be

Or maybe they are not

Warm

already held. After all

why wouldn’t they be?

As long as Donna is there

in Summer. Smiling it with burns.

Real ones.

In shade and shades.

Real ones.

For me first. Then the coast is clear again.

Postea

Graduation.

The real ones.

Regalia, cigars

birch and beach.

At her shoulders.

Warm, cool

burned and laid

in her hand.

The real one.

at least, at last

Humbly before god.

the real ones.

as for Donna, Summer

and Dawn before cock and crow.

the real ones and I

even without

says Somersby,

can bliss,

bless,

believe,

and

pretend.

Ernest Williamson III has published creative work in over 600 journals. He has published poetry in over 200 journals, including The Oklahoma Review, Review Americana: A Creative Writing Journal, Pamplemousse, formerly known as The Gihon River Review, and The Copperfield Review. Some of his visual artwork has appeared in journals such as The Columbia Review, The GW Review, New England Review, and The Tulane Review. Williamson holds an M.A. in English Literature from the University of Memphis and a PhD in Higher Education Leadership, Management, & Policy from Seton Hall University. Currently, Ernest lives in Tennessee.