so do me a favor

and picture me this --

after spending a day;

eating. tasting. drinking. and just loving

the most exquisite cheeses, sausages, and wine.

almost constantly;

catching a whiff of heaven.

aroma after aroma

double take after double take.

with gluttonous eyes

followed by moans of appreciation

completely content with;

meandering aimlessly through tents --

sipping on rums and juices.

eating slices and savoring.

mumbling through bread and foie gras.

while taking small sips of wine
and dashing

without risking a glance back or asking

la fête des vendanges à Montmartre

and then.

imagine;

a good bottle of red wine

sitting on the steps in front of the Sacre Coeur

the city of paris sprawled out in front of us

centre pompidou in the distance -- unsubtle

the eiffel tower just past the trees, to our right

at our feet, eyes stepping down to

-- a singer, singing off tune

-- every step space completely covered with laughter

night closes in on us, around 9

apartments twinkle into life

one after another -- not suddenly

but we're caught by surprise. it's 10.

four figures huddled together,
arms awkwardly interlaced.

music commences, over the din of hundreds of people

can you feel it? the bass.

then fireworks brush the air.

slowly, working it's way, to the finale.

a sizzle, the smell of something burning, singed.

a whistle, and a burst.

if you put that together -- it's a bit of a swizzle and a !snap

trails of brightness, and dusts of gold

bits of magic and whispers of light

brilliant, then fading into a quiet crackling

sparkling between gentle and exuberant

arching across and fainting

a toast.

and with a shiver, it's over.

we smile.

a breath.
satisfied.

for a split second,

afraid to move.

here's to paris.

and just for kicks --

here's to being born... in the USA.

to Sarah, Rachel, and Sam.
one of the best memories so far.