A Night Like Any Other....

A NIGHT LIKE ANY OTHER....      (Renga)

The sun sets gently
Behind the mountain, lighting
Orange wisps of snow.

                             Every evening is like that,
                             Silly.  What’s special?

I forced my eyes on
The striped asphalt, not on you—
A losing battle.

                             Yes, I was watching with you.
                             For my own safety.

The drive passed swiftly.
Time with you flees before me,
Leaving me empty.

                             Empty, like your head that night,
                             Strolling through a fog.

Sweetheart, I agree.
When you gently take my hands,
My mind surrenders.

                             That’s why I love you so much.
                             You bend to my will.

That’s a two-way street,
Like the one that we drove on
That marvelous night.

                             I’m glad the road was empty.
                             We could be alone.

We pulled up to park
By the sidewalk, far from where
The streetlight stood guard...

                             ...lest a dozen pairs of eyes
                             Report back to Dad.

I turned back the key
To silence the old motor,
Sighing wistfully.

                             My heart ached, dreading how I’d
                             Have to part with you.

The car softly ticked,
Marking the moments until
I had to let go.

                             I forced myself to breathe, but
                             Stayed right where I was.

You clung to my hand
Tighter than ever—like I
Always want you to.

                             Since you first held my hand, your
                             Touch has warmed my soul.

I reached to hold you.
Your head lay on my shoulder,
Your hand still in mine.

                             No way would my grip weaken. 
                             I couldn’t let go.

Exiting the car,
I guided you home, my arm
Around your shoulders.

                             I listened intently for
                             Titters of spies....none.

We whispered good-nights,
Blue eyes the last thing I saw
Before it happened.

                             You’re too tall, I was thinking,
                             When all else vanished.

It wasn’t too long,
Not mushy or too tight-lipped,
Not smacking or hard....

                             And how did you know so much
                             About kissing?  Hmmm?

I was just guessing!
But none of that came to mind
In our close embrace.

                             We kissed so softly, pulling
                             Away much tighter.

Did I embarrass
Myself with that goofy grin
Adorning my face?

                             My gleaming braces outshined
                             Anything on you.

Once more I squeezed you,
Touched your blonde curls, cheeks, lips,
Reluctantly parting.

                             I didn’t dare speak my heart—
                             Words couldn’t help me.

I closed your front door,
The quiet disappointing
As I left for home.

                             Quiet?  I faced a sibling
                             Interrogation!

Promise we’ll make this
A night like any other...
Common, as it were.

                             I hope to rehearse often,
                             Reaching perfection.