South Beach

You are waiting   crisply dressed   
your face    shaven smooth

glows at the sight of me

as I arrive at the home

ask the driver to wait.

The nurse dispenses

medication for the two

days you will stay with me.

Our cabbie drives us to

South Beach   you chatting

him up like the you 

before bipolar struck.

Calmer now since new

medicine    you are still

unable to amble

clipping at a brisk pace

along the avenue.

The peek-a-boo sunshine

stings my pale skin    a stark

contrast to your bronze arms.

We walk down Ocean Drive   

taking in drag queens    

in gold lamé ruffles 

strutting outside The Palace.

Lunch at News Café.

Relaxed    you shamelessly 

flirt with our waitress.

You     just months ago so

malignantly manic 

unable to hold a thought. 

Iced coffee at Starbuck's

cools us    evaporates

sweat from our skin.

We talk    your tanned face

almost relaxed    no 

angling for compliments  

no perseverating.

A pastel canyon 

Art Deco hotels tower

over us    the sidewalk 

lined with diners in a trail 

of cafés    as fans blow 

mist into the steamy 

heat of midday.

Tiring    you    my golden son

hail a cab    our  ride to the
cool dim light of my hotel.
You switch on the TV.
In minutes we are asleep  
dodging our demons
if only for the while.

© cj Schlottman  2011