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It was the one tremendous smile
amid the gruff-mouthed tense-shouldered cockfight posturing

It was the one who said yes
Who said,
Sure, we can be friends — why not?
Just like that

The one who said
Sure you can join us
at our table

The one who said
Come over

The one who
danced with me

All the ones
When we shut up
When we shut up and listen
When we shut up and feel

It was when my gift
was accepted

When what I had prepared
was eaten

It was the
thank-you note

It was the one tender look
that I’m
still reading

It was the one tremendous smile

It was the one tremendous smile
amid the gruff-mouthed tense-shouldered cockfight posturing

It was the one —

(It’ll be the one
time you touch someone,
really touch them,
the whole of them, know
who they are — whoever
they are

It’ll be the one
time you let them reach in,
past your fear, and touch
you

It’ll be the one
time you go
with them
through
to the dawn)