So We Thought

Her:
pasta is bubbling on the stove
water sizzling and hissing
mingling with the sighs of simmering sauce
left unattended
the cat sits on the table
whining for our affection
but you pull me close
and we sway
slow dancing in the kitchen
the tiles cool beneath my bare toes
my knees graze your calves
you hum Sinatra and smile down at me
eyes crinkling at the corners
I stare into their shadowed depths and

think of the river
cool breeze on an Autumn night
no stars in the sky as we sit in my car
tangled in the seat belt
my knees squeezing your thighs
a forbidden first kiss
telling you “we can't do this”
as I pull you closer

I pull you closer
twirl my fingers through your hair
the way you've twirled yourself around my heart
lodged between ribs
twined in veins
rooted deeply
resting my head against your chest
I feel your heart beat
remember

your erratic pulse,
nervous energy
salesman's smile and
shaky pitch
my legs just barely touching yours
on that hard, black futon
unforgiving, judging us
as I held your hand,
brushing my lips against your finger
saying, “we can't do this,”
as I pull you closer

I pull you closer.
I know I should tell you
“we can't do this right now
the pasta will turn to mush
and the sauce will bubble over.
we need to chastise the cat
for sitting on the table,”
but instead
I frame your face in my hands
tiptoe into the kiss
and say,
“we can do this”

Him:
water boiling, bubbling, banging
pasta gasping for air, a companion
sauce in reach
left unattended
a furry thud comes from the table
the cat whines and wins a glance from you
but I pull you close to me
and we sway
slow dancing in the kitchen
distractions disappear, my forehead to yours
hips moving in unison, attached
I hum Sinatra and you smile up at me
I stop abruptly, “more?” you ask
I shake my head shyly and

recall the cafeteria
dark and dimly lit corners
no one around but you and I
tangled in our delicate ideas
your hand caressing my face
a forbidden first kiss
whispering to you artificial apologies
as I pull you closer

I pull you closer
envelop my arms around your waist
the way you’ve enveloped your love around my heart
nestled against my aorta
filling each ventricle with warm flames
forever ablaze
your head rests against my chest
my heart flutters in a rush of joy
remember

your smile
a moment, translucent
your influx of concern
coming and going
wanting to see that smile again
enjoying the moment
could be the last
it’s not the last
it won’t be the last
I hope we can do this
I know we can do this

“This is it,” I say
more confident  than ever
still dancing smoothly
cherishing each moment
each movement
you kiss my lips softly
as if it’s the last
but I have no worry
it’s your heart touching mine
breathing with mine
we then say in harmony,
“we can do this”


- PatInTheHat