Untitled (First Date)
This is a poem about one year ago today.
we walk to the bus stop
swinging sweaty hands
we try entwining our fingers
clasping mitten hands
squeezing out messages
in our own morse code
found somewhere between bengali
and british with a dash of burnination
So this is what it’s like
we pass the hole in the wall
I saw Hole in the Wall on
a Taboo card yesterday and
I couldn’t think how I would do it
so I’m telling you now
it’s the bar at the corner
you squeeze me nodding
We’re the greatest Taboo players ever
and we know we always will be
So this is what it’s like
on the bus you rub your hand
against my kneecap
and we talk about our flaws
my kneecap doesn’t think we have any
(we are too arrogant)
but it’s easy to forget yourself
when you’re this warm
So this is what it’s like
off the bus hand-in-hand
we break on the stairs
it is only for a second
but an emptier second there has never been
we are in front of the capitol
and it is ours all ours
(even if it is the capitol of texas)
government is for lovers
your hand and my lips
So this is what it’s like
sam houston was the only man
ever to serve as governor
of two states namely
tennessee and texas
you want a picture
to remember this fact (and
my best five-year-old smile
the one you know
you could never forget)
and you take it beaming
by the rotunda
So this is what it’s like
up the stairs you harvest
jealous glances and hold
our hands tight
I never thought I would
be the guy with the girlfriend
being disgusting on the stairs
But I find I rather like the feeling
we giggle loopily
we always say the same thing
at the very same time
and we are always surprised
anew by the fact that
someone else speaks our language
So this is what it’s like
texas had its first female governor
before most women could vote
Isn’t feminism beautiful?
you look at me like
there are things even more beautiful
like chivalry when you say that
Even though I know
we’re both feminists
I absolutely insist on paying
and for one day my feminism
doesn’t mind
So this is what it’s like
we walk all the way down the street
and back up the other way
but we don’t mind
that we can’t find a restaurant
we could live off of each other
for forever and ever and ever
but tacos help
So this is what it’s like
chicken tacos with extra spice
(your immunity is matched
only by my masochism)
and a drink that we share
tastes even better
planes parents political parties
you admit that the republicans
(although you maintain that the word
should not be used not even the
lowercase kind) have done two
good deeds in their history
one of them was giving birth to me
So this is what it’s like
standing in the crook of your arm
and you offer me an altoid
and we smile at each other
(our smiles are curiously strong)
basking in the minty freshness
that has blown away our words
but it is too difficult not to effuse
It hasn’t been awkward at all,
I mean at all, it’s just incredible
how comfortable I feel and
I’ve never done this before and
and it’s not awkward because of you
So this is what it’s like
we are back at the hole in the wall
but there is no spontaneous laughter
you are troubled by
the question you are about to ask me
but as soon as you ask it
You know you didn’t have to ask
it is not as easy as mingling hands
and nobody knows what they are doing
there is thwapping of noses
and squishing of lips
and clacking of who-knows-what
(synchronicity has escaped us)
but when we step back
my happiness
(will you accept my love happiness?)
swells to bursting
MOST. AWKWARD. EVER.
blushing you believe me
and you (because you are you) apologize
We could watch that episode
of West Wing, you know,
the one where they do this,
maybe take some tips
from there?
but everything that i know about life
does not come from the West Wing
and so the next time
(a few short seconds later)
you step away beaming
I know that was awful
But I still don’t believe
That I just got to kiss you
and I step away glowing
Because this is what we’re like
we walk to the bus stop
swinging sweaty hands
we try entwining our fingers
clasping mitten hands
squeezing out messages
in our own morse code
found somewhere between bengali
and british with a dash of burnination
So this is what it’s like
we pass the hole in the wall
I saw Hole in the Wall on
a Taboo card yesterday and
I couldn’t think how I would do it
so I’m telling you now
it’s the bar at the corner
you squeeze me nodding
We’re the greatest Taboo players ever
and we know we always will be
So this is what it’s like
on the bus you rub your hand
against my kneecap
and we talk about our flaws
my kneecap doesn’t think we have any
(we are too arrogant)
but it’s easy to forget yourself
when you’re this warm
So this is what it’s like
off the bus hand-in-hand
we break on the stairs
it is only for a second
but an emptier second there has never been
we are in front of the capitol
and it is ours all ours
(even if it is the capitol of texas)
government is for lovers
your hand and my lips
So this is what it’s like
sam houston was the only man
ever to serve as governor
of two states namely
tennessee and texas
you want a picture
to remember this fact (and
my best five-year-old smile
the one you know
you could never forget)
and you take it beaming
by the rotunda
So this is what it’s like
up the stairs you harvest
jealous glances and hold
our hands tight
I never thought I would
be the guy with the girlfriend
being disgusting on the stairs
But I find I rather like the feeling
we giggle loopily
we always say the same thing
at the very same time
and we are always surprised
anew by the fact that
someone else speaks our language
So this is what it’s like
texas had its first female governor
before most women could vote
Isn’t feminism beautiful?
you look at me like
there are things even more beautiful
like chivalry when you say that
Even though I know
we’re both feminists
I absolutely insist on paying
and for one day my feminism
doesn’t mind
So this is what it’s like
we walk all the way down the street
and back up the other way
but we don’t mind
that we can’t find a restaurant
we could live off of each other
for forever and ever and ever
but tacos help
So this is what it’s like
chicken tacos with extra spice
(your immunity is matched
only by my masochism)
and a drink that we share
tastes even better
planes parents political parties
you admit that the republicans
(although you maintain that the word
should not be used not even the
lowercase kind) have done two
good deeds in their history
one of them was giving birth to me
So this is what it’s like
standing in the crook of your arm
and you offer me an altoid
and we smile at each other
(our smiles are curiously strong)
basking in the minty freshness
that has blown away our words
but it is too difficult not to effuse
It hasn’t been awkward at all,
I mean at all, it’s just incredible
how comfortable I feel and
I’ve never done this before and
and it’s not awkward because of you
So this is what it’s like
we are back at the hole in the wall
but there is no spontaneous laughter
you are troubled by
the question you are about to ask me
but as soon as you ask it
You know you didn’t have to ask
it is not as easy as mingling hands
and nobody knows what they are doing
there is thwapping of noses
and squishing of lips
and clacking of who-knows-what
(synchronicity has escaped us)
but when we step back
my happiness
(will you accept my love happiness?)
swells to bursting
MOST. AWKWARD. EVER.
blushing you believe me
and you (because you are you) apologize
We could watch that episode
of West Wing, you know,
the one where they do this,
maybe take some tips
from there?
but everything that i know about life
does not come from the West Wing
and so the next time
(a few short seconds later)
you step away beaming
I know that was awful
But I still don’t believe
That I just got to kiss you
and I step away glowing
Because this is what we’re like