engagement
is risky business
and driving backseat wise
not seen & barely heard
seems a good second best
trouble is upfront
it sounds like a whimper
like a keen
from a monochrome and
benign corner
hard
to believe the first time
he tapped me I didn't respond
even though he said my name so
I couldn't claim
the wisdom gleaned
hopping freights, you know
if they're not calling you by name
they ain't talkin' to you...
no his was a direct invitation
to stop short of pretense
and like all good teachers
he called my bluff
I handcrafted
a basket full
of reasons why
I couldn't shouldn't
mustn't from
not talking to strangers
to oh I'm too shy but
they were all
secondhand
distractions
and trouble was
I knew better
stepping up
is a style
just like eye to eye
just like being seen and heard
loud and clear again and again
past our own frailty.
so I pay
tribute
to them
who dare to risk
who say hello
instead of throwing stones
who tap me on the shoulder
push me off the cliff and
watch
to them
who offer patience
and even more
an equal taste
of impatience
reminding me
that living
is eye to eye &
it ain't always
for the faint
of heart
