frostbite

around him
i choke on sentences before i can say them out loud,
just one of those strangers you meet
walking through the park
that manage to leave a lasting impression on your heart.
the first time, it was the beginning of fall
and that chill wasn’t in the air yet,
he introduced me to a tiny puppy named
Hooligan
and i never thought to ask for his name.
somehow that 5 minute exchange
remains in my mind.
he was attractive in that
honest-looking way that made me
want to take his hand or ask him about
his favourite song.
cut to a month later and our paths happen
to cross again,
that adventurous me from one month ago
just blushed and offered him a smile
while she watched him rake the last, wet
leaves of fall –
couldn’t believe he still existed in her world.
on the tip of my tongue was a sentence that wanted to
burst out like tears, but i just couldn’t.
lord knows, i’ve written line after line
about those ones who got away
in the past
but i’ve met him twice now –
those butterflies are still in my stomach.
i hate how the cold manages to
creep inside you and hurt.

11/22/08