If I could take the picture again,
I’d have my head slightly more tête-à-tête
with her phone so that people could read
the red and blue letters of the foam fabric hat
just a little more clearly. But as the photo is
they say it’s the best I have ever taken.

Eyes transpiercing the camera, I hold my glass
angled so the beer within just licks my lips
like ocean waves tickling feet in the sand.
You need to show that to everyone, they tell me.
Make it your Facebook profile pic! Add it
to every dating app you have! Ladies beware.

Before a night downtown with my family of friends,
one guy gave me this hat along with a promise
to buy me a hot dog for every compliment received.
My current balance is eight, and let me tell you
few things hit like an all beef, all fixin’s hot dog
when you can barely stand on your own two feet!

I proudly wore that hat all night just like
every other stupid thing I’ve been comfortable enough to do.
I’ve left our hangouts coiled in glowsticks and leis,
once a cherry blossom wagasa parasol I would not close
on the walk back to the car at three in the morning.
What will we get into next? I heartily await.

Because no matter what else is going on,
whether uneventful calm or overbearing storm,
we’ll always make time for dinner or drinks.
Can’t make it today? How ’bout later in the week?
A time to drop our guard and be ourselves
and have copious amounts of unforgettable fun.