Love Puzzl
by Carrie Pinkman

Bobby closes shop early today
        and we drive home in silence

the squeaking of the windshield wipers
and the beating of the rain on your car
provide the music from your broken radio
and fulfill both ends of our conversation

i stare at my cigarette
you follow the road with your eyes
and drum your fingers on the steering wheel

she rides in between us --- heavy and vivid.
her perfumed, her laugh
push us up against opposite sides
of the car
with every turn
        she shifts with us
but with every brake
        she does not stop
sometimes i wonder if we would be us 
if it weren't for her in between

does she have what i lack-
are we pieces of a love puzzle
you'd like to assemble
        i the soul
she the legs
        i the challenge
she the sure thing
        i your passion
you hers

i can hear the pieces rumbling in your head
        you turn to look at me when you think i won't see

if only she had wings and could fly
        into the rain
if only i had roots and could plant myself
        inside you