Cashew Nuts and Peridot Water

First Kiss

The sweet kiss of knowing
I was now in love
hit me like a honeybee sucking
dandelions

In the beginning, there was just
you, just standing there ready to
pick me up if I fell

I was the freshman girl in the high school
bleachers
watching you across the gym
while a jumpshot from a lanky senior
rose in the air to the hoop,
spinning marvelously into teenage
cheering
with a score

You were the boy with a box of candy
and a bouquet of flowers at my door

At that first dance, I stood mesmerized
on the floor,
moving to the music of our arms
embracing



I knew you only then.
You would walk me home.