Across from us
a first date
the safe questions
and then
the awfulness
of silence
the way they use their menus
as safety nets
looking but not reading
he likes her
it’s obvious
but she’s been hurt
before
and then he makes
her laugh
she spills her drink
he mops it up
I can smell
the hope
my husband pays our bill
and as we drive away
in our comfy clothes
I don’t wish for that newness
that electric place of potential
not knowing if we will be
misery or sweet
it’s them I can’t stop thinking about
a story with no end
does he get funnier
does she open up
I flip a coin
and I am surprised
at how happy I am
when it shows up heads
yes
they marry.