First Meeting, or, What Could Be

by James B. Nicola

It could be little crows' feet that appear
when he or she smiles. Or how often they
do smile. Could be the generous, festive way
they chuckle at the silly things you say
yet listen like a therapist or seer.

It could be what they say then makes you smile:
You know they listened. (God!) When they ask you
without a grain of guile to continue
not minding if you don't or when you do,
it could be that there's more to them than style.

Then when you feel you're just about to fall
(and hard) it could be that when they then tell
you that they're married, you know all is well:
that is, that you've been saved a trip to hell
because they are that wonderful and all.