“You have a way with words.” Do I? Which way is that?
Down left? Up center? Circling like a bat
with a tea tray in the sky? Ha! I could not resist
although I’ll try harder next time, if you insist
upon frowning so on this clear and starry night.
Have things let you down again? Can I make them right?
Perhaps you need a little journey to the sea?
Have a little lobster while quadrilling with me!
Mayhap a forest walk is more your style?
Just a hint of that crisp air brings my lips a smile.
Then again, you could go where finer people go
although exactly where that is, I wouldn’t know.
In any case, I see you’re glad we’ve had this chat.
Words have a funny way of turning this to that.
Hear, hear: https://aprillynnjames.com/track/4735422/you-have-a-way-with-words-3-2026
I said the opening sentence to Madison one evening, and before I knew it, we had the rest of the sonnet as Madison’s reply.