taut blouse -- tobacco-filled cheek.
He, also hip-pocket-white-ring
shouting Copenhagen to the stars, knows
she sways smiling
not because cowboys grin
shy at her red hair,
green eyes, not because drunks
stagger past, caressing
round, riveted cheeks,
heavy hands probing,
but yes because she too knows
before Missoula night
slips by, before Big Dipper retreats
from rodeo dawn, before winds rise
bronc-riding warm,
her brown breath will ooze,
swirl with bear breath,
both panting home the stars.
And Cuddly Bear, brown eyes, brown teeth
flashing as he blows juice
straight and true,
knows let-me-go moans,
jeans, tanned cheeks
will be his by dawn, will become
snoose-covered love
spitting out the sky.