Antihistamine: A New Spring Poem By Alexandria’s C. Thomas

Can you feel spring in the air? The first day of spring will be here on March 20, and as the days get longer and warmer those feelings you’ve kept bottled up inside of your warm and comfy home might want to escape to take a deep breath, smell the flowers and… AHH… ACHOO! That’s right. With every season comes a mixture of feelings and smells and tastes.

Alexandria poet C. Thomas is perpetually giving willing audiences a peek into his heart, and we are more than happy to publish his excellent poems. Here is his most recent work!

Antihistamine
By C. Thomas

I was not supposed to fall in love.
Just the thought makes me itch.
It’s like I have an allergic reaction to it.
There are no pills or anti itching creams to help fight this.
So I won’t risk a rash—I avoid it.

A bee sting to my feelings.
Emotions go into anaphylactic shock.
I get choked up the moment I’m shown affection.
My skin flushes at contact.
Lump in throat from smiling too much.
A nauseating punch to the gut.
I break out in hives.
Can’t bare the pain–I’m warm to the touch.
And with no epi pen in sight—I don’t need this!

I stand firm in wanting no parts of anyone’s heart.
Romantic flutters cause asthma attacks.
Breathe in, breathe out–shallow breaths—I

damn near pass out.
They say big boys don’t cry—
I prove them wrong daily.
Put your heart in my hands all
you want…watch me break it.
I’m clumsy….on purpose.

Purposely falling back if I felt a
twinge of it coming my way.
I hate the responsibility of letting down my guard, trusting someone with my all and them doing the same.
I’ve seen relationships fall apart just like that
over spilled milk.
And dammit, I’m lactose intolerant!
Jaded hearts, swollen emotions.
Ain’t no love in this house.
I take necessary precautions to protect myself.

And then, here comes you.
You who are not supposed to be here.
You who snuck up on me from out of
nowhere, looking at me like we’re destined to be.
Wanting to stop itchy eye, nose from running.
That no sore throat feeling so I can sleep better.

An antihistamine for this heartbreaking ragweed.
Showing me roses growing thorns like its ok!
Have me become hummingbird to honeysuckle.
Racing to smell your smile, a sweet nectar under willow tree free from weeping.
Tulips in full bloom type of joy.
Nose wide open taking in the sound
of green grass laying beneath us.
Not sure if that tickle is from ladybugs
dancing on my skin or my lonely nights
confessing to be over.

Never imagined a feeling to be so calm.
This wilderness is at a standstill when
wrapped in your arms. We become
evergreen, long lasting blooming despite
the state of the world.

I run fields just to breathe you in and
here we are planted firm in our secret
garden palm to palm, heartbeat to heartbeat,
cheek to cheek. I can’t get enough of you.

And I like it
Damn, I love you

MORE: Poetry: Listening to Love and Heartbreak at St. Elmo’s