Dating 101

 
chooses coffee  
   
and I sigh  
knowing how  
that could    
turn out  
   
but they arrive  
with a clean tone
in vintage leather  
and sunshine
wrapped
in locks,  
   
asks permission    
to embrace  
my frame  
   
that has seen    
better days  
   
has lived    
better days,  
   
I listen to    
them speaking  
with a bold    
european  
flow    
   
as forty six  
year old blue 
begin washing  
over burnt  
out hazel    
   
gazing at
their touch
curling round
a coffee
cup.

Was stuck as if it was possible to be frozen in the heat of summer.
Not for too long.
Never ruled out a miracle.
At the time it seemed somewhat impossible.
As things grow you will never see what it is until it’s done growing.
Sitting across from you erased any past bad memory.
Meeting you encompassed all past pain.
It’s possible to get lost talking to you for hours.
After hours even after the restaurant closes.
The look in your eyes tells it all.
The deep gasp of air from the goodness of what’s come of this short time.
Exactly that.
Short time being built into greater.
Our talks grew louder over shared glasses of wine.
Other unhappy couples became uncomfortable.
Light live museum music sets the background tone.
It’s as if you stole a day from me and planned our first kiss over a mountain top of sculptures.
I’m not going to stop telling you what you want to hear.
In the moment being mindful.
I’m just glad you’re here.

Our first hook up    
she decided to wear    
wounded knee    
blue jeans for life    
and a bright yellow    
back to front hat    
sprinkled with shiny black stars    
that matched her eyes    
   
She'd thoughtfully painted    
flowers on her teeth    
so her smile    
would be instantly recognized    
   
After spit buffing my shoes    
and fretting over    
my profile myths a while    
I foolishly chose    
the last surviving    
collar and tie    
so sat down together    
we stood out    
like an advert in the sky    
two crazy beans    
sprouting on the moon's    
opposite sides    
   
But appearances    
don't cut much mustard anymore    
the world no longer cares    
is blind to most everything    
excepting the turn of a buck    
before the dregs of humanity    
lays down and dies    
   
I've never been great    
on foot language    
but maybe the spider in my bathtub    
had tried to warn me that morning    
by curling her legs up
in the tightest incy winciest ball    
   
And like I told the detective      
I was never certain    
what the waiter said    
Maybe she misunderstood    
but that little pistol she had    
popped up out of her panties    
before I could order a beer    
   
She shot him twice    
once through the heart  
and once in the head    
ran out without a word--    
cured me      
of online dating    
for sure