To Exhale

In France,
or maybe Montreal,
I will smile more

over strong coffee
and buttery croissant
with apricot jam
and unsalted fat.

My walk will bounce elegantly,
buoyant as a dancer
and with joyful purpose.

Astride this romantic culture
I will fall in love,
skip vowels
with wine soaked ease

and exhale like a contented smoker
at the denouement of each blessed day.