this is the time of dating.
the movie theaters are chockfull
of first timers. the restaurants as well
are like busy crab traps.
i dated blind once.
i found her childish and rather up stuck.
her talk prattled on. bounced off walls.
clung to my fork.
crumbled in my cauliflower flan.
but dating is all anyone has time for.
a quick bite. late movie.
to head out before the credits roll up.
to beat the parking lot rush.
then the shy drive.
stomachs in a mushy knot.
to first kiss or not. to make her wait.
so she can say. this guy. this one's a keeper.
a real leading man type.
dating for pleasure. dating for pain.
some date for the company.
others do it just to walk away.
shall we box it up. stick barcodes on it.
set up tables at a market square.
lay our assets out like colored glass.
everybody's dating.
some are multiple-dating.
this girl i know has four guys
that she rotates like milk. the oldest first.
i'm through with it. listen friends.
i mean it this time.
there will be no more popcorn
butter fingers on my lap.
no more can we talk.
i'll be on a different track.
i'll be the one
with sunshine on his back.