If I had three lives, I'd marry you in two.

If I Had Three Lives After "Melbourne" 

by the Whitlams 

If I had three lives, I'd marry you in two. 

The other? Perhaps that life over there 

at Starbucks, sitting alone, writing—a memoir, 

maybe a novel or this poem. No kids probably, 

a small apartment with a view of the river, 

and books —lots of books—and time to read. 

Friends to laugh with, and a man sometimes, 

for a weekend, to remember what skin feels like 

when it's alive. I'd be thinner in that life, vegan, 

practice yoga. I'd go to art films, farmers markets, 

drink martinis in swingy skirts and big jewelry. 

I'd vacation on the Maine coast and wear a flannel shirt 

weekend guy left behind, loving the smell of sweat 

and aftershave more than I did him. I'd walk the beach 

at sunrise, find perfect shell spirals and study pockmarks 

water makes in sand. And I'd wonder sometimes 

if I'd ever find you.