An Almost Kiss Poem by Stephanie Eve Kane Arado

We almost kissed on a light fall evening
Outside the crumbling coliseum
Our banter reaching a crescendo
Leading to a desire for consummation

We met in poetry class
You learning deconstruction
Me learning reconstruction
An aging beat poet at the helm

I remember now that I didn’t love you
It was the love of poetry that we shared
My injured spirit led me to you
We basked in the cold cement of classroom walls

We went to the beach with your friend and wife
Your friend reminded me that you were married
I think that’s why I couldn’t kiss you
Long ago on that the light fall evening

I went out with your friend once or twice
Entering his small student garret
Watching his Saab drive around campus
I though I could erase my poetic feelings

Both you and your friend who I briefly dated
Are part of my memories and college days
Bends and turns that were worth taking
Suspended in the warm glow of memory