Poncho

Poncho

Experience
is not
a thing bought-
like a cheaply made
but brightly colored poncho
at a swap meet

Purchased because
you were cold
and it was there
and the colors
did something to you

they swirled around in your head
and made you think of good times at birthday parties
as a small child
pinatas and cake

and

the candy your grandma used to leave out
in fancy glass dishes
that was old people candy
but tasted good anyway

and the colors mesh
like how your brain felt
when you finally achieved your first ashamed
orgasm
at age 14

or

But perhaps you have had
too many cheap
domestic rice brewed
all American brewskies

Because when you get your terrific find home

the colors ran in the wash
and the seams
poorly constructed
split

It seems your experience
and expertise
was misled by
enthusiasm
and nostalgia.

Some things,
you cannot buy.

Not even at the swap meet.