The First Time (You Came in to My City)

The bite of the pepper

from the bowl of

vegetarian ramen that

rests on the black counter

in front of me.

Me, sitting next to you.

You, in a sweater and jeans,

eager to make a good first impression.

Impression: (noun) an idea, feeling, or opinion about something or someone.

Today you met my dad. 

It was brief, and awkward, 

and went just as well 

as could be expected. 

Meanwhile, my mother has been 

a known presence to you

 for almost two months.

Before the first date,

we stood in your living room,

succumbing to every high school cliché in the book.

Book: (noun) the thing i tell you i  want to write. 

The steam from the soup

rises and falls,

like your chest from the nerves

when my dad shook your hand. 

You introduced yourself,

and we walked off towards the train.

Train: (noun) the thing we’re always late to catch when you have to go home

We agreed on this lunch affair

two weeks ago over the phone

when we planned this afternoon.

If it’s cold enough, I know a place, I suggested.

Ten dollar ramen. 

You were enthusiastic, and insisted on paying

for our meal.

Meal: (noun) the thing we share the most.

I met you at the station

with my dad by my side.

The train was late, and you felt awful. 

He’ll forget in a week, don’t worry about him, I reassured you.

You grabbed my hand and gave it a squeeze

as we sat down at the counter.

Counter: (noun) the place in my kitchen we will sit and talk for hours on end.

We visited my favorite spot

in the universe together:

a record store in Brooklyn

that housed all of our favorite bands. 

You picked up a seven inch and some stickers,

and beamed as we strutted out hand in hand. 

Hand: (noun) the instrument you use to make melodies that dazzle me.

We went back to my house,

where my mother greeted you with open arms. 

We watched a movie with

entangled limbs and synchronized heartbeats.

Heartbeat: (noun) the thing that I love to listen to when I lay against your chest.

It is easier to rest

knowing that there is someone out there 

who makes me feel the type of love

that I have spent endless hours writing about.