the first girl
déjà vu fades
to something familiar
life-long child-life
familiar – like I’ve
thrilled at braiding
her hair
once when we were 12
and being so near
made me shine unfamiliar
I remember
and shiver
the chill of heat
on the back of our necks
at the hinge of our jaws
some elusive joining
ticklish sharp joint
from the back of girls’ knees
silky chains netting inexplicable links