We break from apartment viewing to eat
at Wicked Weed Brewery, walk in to Dolly
belting “I can see the light, I can see the light
of a clear blue morning.” We look at each other.
It’s a sign, I say as you laugh, then add
I don’t want to leave you in Fort Lauderdale.
You remind me of the Allegiant direct flights
that you’ll take until you sell your home.
We order burgers and fries.
Tanya serenades “Delta dawn...”
Then Carly croons “You’re so vain”
as the server brings our food. Cher sings,
“Don’t you sometimes wish your heart...”
With fry in hand, I pause as Dolly & Porter harmonize
“Please, please don’t stop loving me.”
I tell myself this duet isn’t a warning.
Then Dolly is back as we’re waiting for the check
telling us about her Tennessee mountain home.
Now, you tell me, This is a sign. You ask,
Does Dolly need to walk in and tell you to move?
I start to miss you already but “9 to 5” plays.
We sing along walking out the restaurant
while pouring imaginary cups of ambition.

 

Dustin Brookshire’s chapbooks include Never Picked First For Playtime (Harbor Editions, 2023), Love Most Of You Too (Harbor Editions, 2021), and To The One Who Raped Me (Sibling Rivalry
Press, 2012). He is the co-editor of Let Me Say This: A Dolly Parton Poetry Anthology (Madville Publishing, 2023).