nice dress

in theory I had everything
one could require
for a celebratory outing:
an annual tradition
of debauchery or
at least mild hooliganism,
ten hours of sleep,
a tropical setting,
family both
old and new, a nice
shiny dress, sparklers,
and booze. but
something was missing.
I didn’t know if it was
just my mood
that wouldn’t bear
examining. my head
wasn’t in the game.
it insisted on
hurting and whispering
“you’re so tired”.
it wasn’t until
I saw new young love
blooming before me
that I realized: the
missing piece was
you.