Georgetown: February 4, 1983

I smirk and nod, waiting for the questions to begin

But there are no questions

There is only:

 I’ve been waiting to meet you

To talk to you

Dance with you

You must see it

You must see my loneliness

Even here amid my friends

It’s difficult not to analyze how you’ve noticed me tonight

We talk about music

We talk about the snowstorm

And how sad it is that Karen Carpenter died today

We talk about everything and nothing

Even when we aren’t sure what we’ve heard

(It’s so loud in here!)

My thoughts keep evaporating

Because I’m peering into your eyes

Trying to figure out if they are really Kelly green

Or just Kelly green in the lights

As we dance

I’m lost in the strobe lights

Nervously playing with my tied eyed hat

You’re not fidgeting, though

You dance like fire released

Moving like someone used to being watched

Someone who enjoys being watched

The silver buckle on your belt

Shoots flashes of green all around

You are your own laser show!

Now you’re sneaking glances at me

As if I am the sort of person someone like you would sneak glances at

My face, in response, is a question my mouth can’t quite form

Is it possible to fall in love during a single dance? 

I want to tell you how badly I want to see you after tonight

But I don’t utter a word

Suddenly, it’s last call

You flag down the bartender for two more beers

Then you remove your Georgetown Hoyas button from your jean jacket

And pin it on mine

You wink and say -

To remember me by

And I cringe at the finality of your words