For full text of poem:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AD30LNT7K1LYv12VIKlyw1gqqxKhFI09PyNJyf4_-mU/edit?usp=sharing
How Far Past Eager
this evening i have a gentleman caller
he seems gentlemanly for the most part
under that carhartt
the fact he's calling on my door at 6
is exciting
i’ve lured him here with
peas and carrots in shepherd's pie
the most reliable man-bait
there is to be found in february
plus he liked how I looked in a bathing suit
last week at the sauna
so that probably helped
seal the deal
that he’d accept my invitation
we liked the looks of each other earlier this year
but the conversational embers
couldn't stay lit
and so now after two dates
the spark is smoldering
i can't tell
if i will just cry tears of relief
if he reaches for my hand
or touches me at the small of my back
the mere writing of those words
brings my heart
right up into my throat
and the welling up of feeling
tells me how far past eager i am
i am like a little field mouse in my nest
who was awoken midwinter
by a violent storm
and finds no sustenance about her
to be winnowed from the chaff
and so she decides it would be best
to will herself back to sleep until spring
lest the hunger pains torture her until then
so what to help bed down
the achiness in her empty belly
but another creature to curl up behind her
and keep the snow off her back
and with that
a sweet relief
she likely won't die alone in this field
not tonight
tonight she isn’t wracked by machinations
of whether he fits the 67 points of perfection
ensuring there is overlap
in all essential areas
of physical chemistry
political views
niceness scores
body odor
taste in music
kissing ability
spiritual evolution
complaining index
and arm cuteness
not if he can be enticed to her nest with a hot dish
other than herself
and he'll maybe just spoon her a while
she will let out a sigh
that shows the sympathetic chain of her vagus
has gone offline
then she starts to breathe more slowly
and though it is very unlikely
she has a worry
hiding in the back row with a question
what if he tries to kill you in your sleep?
we would have seen a warning sign before,
next question.
what if we want him to come back tomorrow night again?
we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.
any other questions?
yes you in the front
what should i wear then?
just take off your armor
