Special Occasion

Summer Affirmations: A Poem

I am the special occasion now.

I am the reason for the good China and the ripest heirloom tomato still warm from the sun.

I am the splurge on orchestra seats, second row, velvet carpets beneath high heeled feet.

I am the “Yes, I’ll have a piece of your birthday cake.”

I am the “Out of Office” simply to sit poolside sipping a Brooklyn Summer, reading something that may be heart-rendering prose or dragon smut because I am the special occasion now-

And I get to choose.

I am the farmers market on Sundays to skip straight through the fresh fruits and vegetables vendors to walk away with a single blackberry hand pie-

Juices dripping down both wrists because my hands are free

Of anything

Of anyone

Else.

I am the “Sure I can meet you for a drink in 20 minutes,” throw on red lipstick but refuse to change the gray sweatpants and Birkenstocks that survived the 2001 camping trip where I pretended I was outdoorsy.

I am the glass of sweating, pink rosé on the patio in the yard, covered in mosquito bites.

I am the dirty feet in the clean sheets, a pile of library books with full bookshelves awaiting me at home.

I am the good hand lotion in the junk drawer:

Not squeezed within an inch of its life because-

Even hand lotion deserves some dignity.

I am the “I will not take meetings on Friday afternoons in the summertime.”

I am the “That exact timeline does not work for me.”

I am the stolen kisses between Zoom meetings, passing by in dark hallways with hot cups of coffee- once or twice before lunch.

I am the “Yes, Mama can take you to the dentist

to the movies

to that party.

I’ll wait in the car.

I will work from the front seat.

I will be here when you’re done.

I will be here if you want to leave early.

I will be here if you want to stay until tomorrow.

I will be here because it is my choice

Because it is my joy

Because I am not owned by anyone

But chose to give myself away freely

Like confetti

Or glitter

Because I am the special occasion now.