You picked up
a rifle
just as he spread
his fingers to coax
a bunny from his hand
and between laughter
and the growing
sense that time is
like water running
through the orifices
of the rabbit
you stuck a cigar
to your painted
mouth then corrected
the movement
and placed the right side
of the cigar
to your painted mouth
_                                               _ the flash
went off
here’s the picture
to prove: these were the best years of your life
the sun
was at an apex
with you
_           _ flush
with your boot,
so travelled and planted
so firmly
on the rear fender
of your ride.