at the beginning there was the longer line
which traveled through the arms
where they lightly touched shoulder to elbow
on the arm rest and in the dark
conversation went like a voyage
like sibling revelry, familiar and new at once
over coffee, squid salad, and something
pureed with cream, vellutata
couplets arose as if hidden in wait
for a muse or even amusement
for that elan akin to ripples on water
the overtone series extended into a void
her hand on the center of his back
just for a moment before descending
toward the first kiss gently shared
as easily as talk of habitual anxiety or the word loquacious
