Bikram Love Triangle

Five minutes late to class and we got spots,

spots apart. But, a mirrored column in front,

so we could check

each other out.

I watched you get hot in Ardha-Chandrasana,

as you poured your head

between short,

upstretched arms. Then cut a sweat

with the six hip Utkatasana

dips, but by then,

you were primed.

Garurasana

is your most improved:

right toes wrapped

around left calf,

as you pulled both shoulders

down and back.

Because of a displaced disk, Dandayamana-Janushirasana

cannot be, but your Dandayamana–Dhanurasana

could be the figurine

on the hood of the first Rolls Royce.

Tuladandasana

is Sanskrit for Balancing Stick. With this,

your face confirmed last night

we had too much to drink.

When I took my Dandayamana-Bibhaktapada-Paschimotthanasana

bow, I bowed deep for your face

and the knowing of how it thinks.

A lycra girl spread into my view

in the Trikanasana

triangular screw

but you reemerged, bold,

for our Dandayamana-Bibhaktapada-Janushirasana

balancing fold.

In frontal Tadasana

I surveyed your chest with the remembering look

reserved for carved stone

and snowy boulder crests.

Once more, in Savasana,

I thought to tell you that Pavanamuktasana

is called Wind-Removing Pose,

so you can laugh and say

I should do it every day.

The belly-flat series of Bhujangasana, Salabhasana and Dhanurasana

made me want to be your rubber mat

and come between the fake rock floor

and your beech wood back.

Even in Supta-Vajrasana –

be the royal blue under you,

cup each knee and persuade your leather quads.

I delayed my Ardha-Kurmasana

to watch your nose

grasp the ground. You trimmed your thinning hair

but look younger,

even as you hover.

Finally, at Ustrasana,

your eyes and my eyes

and almost there. After Ustrasana,

my eyes. Your eyes, I thought, not

quite there.  In Sasangasana,

nothing in your face

asking to be read, my chin between my knees,

all that blood to the head.

So I gave meditating face

in the Janushirasana, Paschimotthanasana, Pada-Hasthasana

flow, a mature woman devoted

to her personal growth. But when I caught you will,

but not reach, the Ardha-Matsyendrasana

twist, again, I let you get big.

In Kapalbhati,

upturned palms upon my lap.

Lips pursed, exhaled hard.

A seated disciple with third eye bright

and practiced breath

that yields its fire.

Love elephant and want to go steady?

Sign up for our (curated) daily and weekly newsletters!

Apprentice Editor: Hannah Harris / Editor: Renée Picard

Photo: Pixoto