The heavens opened on a square dance,
a fundraiser for whatever the Quakers were supporting that month;
I almost didn’t go.
*
Square dancing is perfect for people like us,
who need structure, lack rhythm,
and don’t believe in gods -
save for whoever I answered
when I said aloud, “But he’s so short!”
*
It’s hard to talk back
to an ethereal sense of
rightness
in your bones,
but I managed it.
*
Whatever speechless, certain thing had seized me
declared: that one. Take him home.
Marry him too soon and not soon enough.
Have his children. They will be good men.
Hold him until his hair falls out,
then pull him closer.
Let him see past your glitter and shine.
This is the closest
you will ever come to doing the right thing
the first time.
*
I will give the universe credit
for knowing us well enough already
to give us a second chance
as soon as we’d blown our first; he walked out
without my number.
An exasperated wind blew through my chest
until he came back in
looking like he’d forgotten his glasses,
or his car keys
or whatever else he would need
for the rest of his life.
About the Creator
Dane BH
By day, I'm a cog in the nonprofit machine, and poet. By night, I'm a creature of the internet. My soul is a grumpy cat who'd rather be sleeping.
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Reader insights
Nice work
Very well written. Keep up the good work!
Top insights
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
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