As he approached, while snow fell swift

a stranger smiling warm, eyes angled

peering out beneath big blue umbrella

Hi there beautiful, he said, and then

I'm in love with you

His next five words

What's wrong with me

that I was pleased?

Could feel my growing glowing smile greet his

brain chemicals, instinct, long dark solitude

the soft white snowflakes blowing everywhere

All the above in play, perhaps? don't know

Felt my mouth move, heard myself speak, say thankyou

why? you mustn't, never! don't say that

and he smiled more

fair faced, a little flushed

from cold or drink or maybe some of each

No no, I'm in LOVE with you, beautiful, he firmly said

That's lovely, wonderful! my too-quick-voiced reply

Again unplanned! self-shock response

just heard it as it quit my snow-chilled lips

Felt them lift further, smiling more

heard myself oddly softly gently laugh

silly female trill puffed into icy silver air

At least . . . kept moving on

striding forth toward my next endless task

Yes he was thanked, but gently left behind

It seemed . . . okay

not unkind, no injured outcry on his part

None, at least, that reached my ears as I walked on

And so, at least . . . I didn't pause improperly

though it was not propriety that moved my boots

sent me on down that snowy ice-clad road

Nor thought nor shame

nor fear nor grief

just rhythmic movement, hazy pleasured trance

Such little things, such shallow things, of late

work strong, create this weird new wronghead joy

Sad desperation ugly at the core, no doubt

and yet the feeling, like strange man's smiling rosy face

his sudden foolish proffered gift of love

seems innocent, tastes sweet.