First Date

One
short
whisper
before I 
choke down worry, lean
over then spill your staining drink
and jump back from softening smile and your dark red lips.

1/95

Tom's Notes:

This version started out as a typo, was supposed to be "...smile on your dark red lips." But after turning it in and reading it outloud to the class the same day, someone commented on how they liked the way the 'and' created two distinct images. So, obviously, I kept it. This is one of those pieces where I really dig the subtlety. And, of course the moment.

And I think I'm probably the only one who really likes this poem. :)

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