One Hundred Steps

I should not dare hope to see your face lit that way again.
The rapidly broken mouth
stretched to smile
eyes alight with gentle joy
upon recognition and waving hand.

I fall into you at perfect level
arms clasped to comfort
horrifically perfect
and punctuated with secret smiles.

We pretend at non-reluctance to draw apart
further and stranger until we bounce closer
to /step/step/strike/ the boards
in course shyness and restless hands.