You opened my car door without hesitation,
freed the wild cherry blossom scent of my hair
into the night air, extended your hand for mine.
Your efforts so far have been valiant– but I know
that as you lead me to the door, your mind racing
then going numb with anticipation of what’s next,
my mind will already be on my ride home, away
from this night, out of this moment.  Ever-so-gently,
you brush a curly strand from my eyes– silly, I did it
on purpose– and as you lean in, I back out with fist
held high as if in triumph of my epic dodge.  You are
confused; you hesitantly extend your fist to meet mine
for a poorly-timed bump. Air between our hands begins
to vibrate, you gazing still at me; two of my fingers extend
in a perfectly-timed victorious V and I shout with glee–
Snail! — and dart back into the night, to the refuge that is
my car right now, leaving you ever-so-shaken in a cloud
of stale cherry blossom, as I take the wild and free with me.