a.

Kendall A. Bell - Poet, Curmudgeon.

a.

she is tucked in
dressed in red and black
a pencil holds her hair up

you notice
the soft hair on her pale arms
the curve of her chin
how her jeans hug her hips
her name displayed on a plastic tag

the uncertainty in her voice
does not keep her from
her attempts to help you
solve your deadline dilemma

that sick feeling in your gut is back
and this girl could be worth every risk

you exchange small talk
she softens, rests her hand on the counter
and leans slightly over as she speaks

you exchange your goodbyes
and file her face in the back of your mind

on a return visit a week later
your eyes look up and meet hers
her hair is down
and looks more of a reddish brown
she smiles (she remembers you)

you will yourself to resist
while your blood races for her