Sweetheart in Another Life

Poetry

You told me the story of how your grandparents met,

how a war glued and joined them together in love,

and I wondered where that left us, two people

meeting in a bar over glasses of red wine.

There was no fate here or clandestine meetings —

just us, trying not to get too drunk too fast.

I almost whispered in your ear an invitation,

but I knew I’d go red in the cheeks just from a hint.

Was there too much wine, or was it hot in there?

*

You wanted to walk outside in the night air, but

I didn’t want to get my suede boots wet in the rain.

You offered to carry me — how chivalrous! —

but I shook my head and laughed a storm.

You blushed from my humor, though it pleased you,

and soon enough we were stuffed into a cab

heading to someplace, we had no idea where.

As your hand found mine in the dark, I knew

something was happening, there was a spark,