And again so quickly
Just as I’d gathered
The kindling of conversation
And struck a match
Moments after witty repartee
What had promised to
Be a flame upon
Which to warm my
Stiffening hands of loneliness
Sputtered smoked and died
It was another cold
Night here at home
Leaving me to wonder
I have always said
That the best invitation
To a kiss is
Laughter I mean really
How can you not
Kiss a smiling face
How can you restrain
Not wanting a nibble
Of pure sheer bliss
I’m not precisely sure
As to which came
First chagrin or surprise
But it went like
This the stubborn last
Bit of chocolate shake
Suddenly let go thanks
To your perpetual pounding
And cascaded over my
Face down my chest
And you holding my
Face within inches of
Yours wide eye shocked
Now whether the taste
Or the kiss came
First I’m wholly uncertain
No wait the kiss
No no the lick
Shit I don’t know
But both were firsts
And like the late
Winter sun that sat
Low on the horizon
And crept through thickets
Of peeling white poplar
And inched to the
Waters frozen edge melting
It creating just enough
Room for fish to
Sigh so was your
Hello to my heart
It gave the snow
Crusted marshland of my
Soul just enough hope
For spring to happen
It was on this
Day in some far
Off place a wish
Came true with you
Born to two people
Hope love and kindness
Came along with you
Humor honesty and wit
Charm and the highest
Peal of laughter too
Which every time you
Laugh rings like bells
In the town square
It’s Khalil’s birthday today
When you read this
Please think of him
And wish him well
HARLAN DIDRICKSON 