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)