How to Fall in Love at First Sight

Never prepare for serendipity.

Treat it like a steamy dream you

didn’t see coming; or the disappearance

of your watch, at the magicians snap of his wand.

Wear a helmet, earplugs, and dark glasses;

better still, stay home and lock the doors.

Or catch a bus, read your texts:

Drinks? 7.30?

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Arrive at work, arrive late, call in sick.

Delete those photos.

We’ve moved on now.

Note to self: What I’m grateful for today is

being single.

Walk through a crowd and notice yourself

not noticing that you’re being noticed.

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Be silly, try on tiaras, be serious, sign a petition.

Do all the normal things that someone

not looking for love would do.

Watch a sit-com for company and

never prepare for serendipity.

Or

You could plan, plot a journey

from A to B.

Attach your wings to get there quick.

Wear red lipstick, Chanel No5.

Decide the venue, what to wear?

Buy candles, black lace;

No. Nude lace. Ivory,

then run the duster over the

tube of lube and

make your list, prepare for serendipity.

*

Next, pull on joggers, old sweater, ditch the

make-up and hair routine. Preparations

must be made. Quick.

Leave the dirty dishes, slam the door,

head towards the mall for supplies.

On the way succumb to the call of coffee;

for energy you tell yourself, but quick quick quick.

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Ping goes the door as you open it,

card at the ready to pay. Oops!

You knock into a hand that holds a steamy latte;

you feel its hot milky wetness spread

like a map over your sweater.

Everyone sees. You notice them notice you as

You stand there, like the subject

against a bokeh blur until you too

begin to

fade.

You

only just

hear a

voice

that you want

to hear again and again,

'Are you OK, can I help?'

You look up,

you should have prepared for serendipity.

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