i
it was cold – really, you’d think they thought we were all
penguins from the arctic.
a three-hour epic – how much longer in this cold?
“i'm cold” i whispered to you - “i'm cold too”
you confessed -
but you dug into your bag and pulled out a sweatshirt
and gave it to me -
“well use it then” i pushed it back to you -
you were so stubborn –
“you’re cold too, take it” you pushed it to me.
i don’t know about you - my world stilled
the moment our eyes met –
your eyes gazed steadily into mine, blinked once
- (nervously?) -
a slow smile formed on your lips.
i confess now: i was nervous – caught off-guard – turned
away from your warm gaze;
your sweatshirt laid limp in my hand, your attention
returned to the movie -
but mine? – it was drawn, taken – probably lost for good.

ii
heavy rain-storm replete with threatening light-swords -
thunder sounded at every step:
we trudged uphill – sought shelter at the crematorium.
soaked to the bone but buoyant we laughed merrily -
i leaned in close (subtly as i could) -
you were unfailing and steadfast – retorted jovially
“hey i'm supporting you” when i argued otherwise.
the rain drained into a light drizzle – we left our erstwhile
shelter.
on the slippery-wet grass by the drain-side, i hesitated
to cross –
afraid i'd slip and fall;
from across the drain, you silently extended a hand –
open, reassuring, warm, ready –
“i'm supporting you” –
i took it – your fingers closed firmly around my hand –
and crossed.

iii
that deep, dark night, going to the beach –
i, tipsy and intoxicated, giddy with laughter,
lost my shoes in that dark field – climbing over
that wooden fence
(we were trespassing; the slippers were clumsy
- i took ’em off).
stranded on the fence, i pouted and whined
– not wanting to wet my feet on the dew-laden grass;
so you sighed, exasperated but indulgent
– affectionately -
found my shoes amidst the grass, knelt before me, laid
my hand upon your shoulder
– “lean on me” –
gently took my bared feet one by one
and slipped each shoe on.
we made it to the beach
– i stumbled, lost footing, but you were always there,
always ready, always steady –
and waited for a sunrise that never came –
(we were facing west!)

iv
another three-hour epic, let out late in the night
we brought our dinner to the musical fountain –
wanted to watch the light display;
but they’d turned it all off that night
– maintenance, they said.
still we sat by the silent, unlit, dry fountain,
laughed over our unfortunate timing.
we finger-shared dinner – delicious roast chicken, licking
at our fingers -
a bottle of water, a rosy Fuji apple, juicy-sweet.
the night was starless, overcast
– no moon, not even a sliver –
it was beautiful.

v
in the darkened cinema we were whispering
(we were supposed to be watching the movie but instead
were discussing it)
i sighed over Melina Kanakaderes’ fine-boned Grecian
beauty,
you liked her legs and breasts (what about mine?!)
suspense on screen: the Killer was hidden; Robert de Niro
was about to be killed –
i covered my eyes - you laughed softly at my silliness and
pried at my fingers.
i remained stubborn, tried to nudge you away with my elbow.
your fingers stayed, covering mine;
then you whispered in my ear “it’s over, it’s okay now
– look”
i peeked and relaxed, fingers removed, and slouched
on you –
joined seamlessly (it seemed) from my shoulder
to the end of my arm with you.
was it cold in the cinema? i only felt the warmth
of your body on mine –
but where did you end and i begin?

vi
the peak hours – hours of vehicular congestion,
we’d thought –
but no, we stop only for pedestrians and traffic lights.
the kaleidoscope of light and shadow plays on our skin
as we rumble through Warren Boulevard.
my urban-road-warrior – on a steel mount in gunmetal
shades -
i wrap my arms more tightly around you –
feel the soft undersides of my breasts on your forearms –
the assuring beats of your heart and the gentle
fall and rise of your chest as you breathe –
i hold you close as you embrace your roaring mount.
there is warm sun rays and cool breezes –
what more can i ask for?

wow lol

more!! i didn't want it to end!