the first time we went out
it was late fall
the leaves were past their prime
and the wind was cold
but the small restaurant was warm
and the lights were low.
the food was good,
conversation, too.
we caught a movie
not good first date material
too sad, too heavy
but we held hands through the end
and joked about it being a
mood killer.
in my heart, it felt like spring,
though it was November.
in January, the first day we were
no longer just two people
but two people with each other
in common
we ice skated.
it was unseasonably warm,
the ice was just a little melted
and our skates made deep divots
making moving slow
and hand holding necessary, welcome.
it snowed during the first two months.
we cuddled in the warmth of the house
and the warmth of our mutual admiration,
wishing for summer
planning things like how we would visit each other
go to farmers markets
make the distance work.
the third month started well
but seemed to fluctuate as often as
the weather in the midwest state
we had in common as home.
some days were sunny, warm,
and we didn't want them to end.
but, more often than not,
there was snow,
or rain, or cold wind.
the last day was unexpected,
coming off a few days of
70 degree weather,
it was May Day, and we sat
in the shelter of my car.
i shivered as words i never wanted to say
crossed my lips, begging for a resolution.
i asked for honesty
and cursed myself when it was worse than i'd imagined.
it ended on May Day, unseasonably cold and windy.
it snowed five inches the next day.
