The Songbird Poem by Barry Trembetzky

I had a first date last night
It was with a woman I had met in Berkeley
We had a delightful dinner in nearby Oakland
This first date was unlike any other

I have had many first dates
Far too many for my liking
I have only ever wanted one
Always hoping to find the one

After dinner, we strolled along Piedmont Avenue
We stopped to have some ice cream
As I watched her satisfying her indulgence
In the stillness of the moonlight night
She looked so radiant, so beautiful
We chatted about spirit, faith, ambition, self-reliance
We have so many beliefs in common
She allows me to speak from my heart
To speak my truth
She listens to me, I listen to her
Very few people actually listen
Very few
Most can only talk

I dreamt of her during my sleep
I awoke thinking of her
I soon fell back asleep and then woke up again
Pondering;
Why didn't I kiss her goodnight?
When should I contact her again?
Do I play the three day waiting game?
Is she the one?

There is a songbird inside me
This morning, as I strolled
along the neighboring streets
reflecting upon last night's date
I could feel that songbird sing

Across one street, I watched a lady walking her dog
The collie stopped and stared at me
The lady called out to me
"She is staring at you, as though she knows you".
I looked at the collie with her gargantuan mane
She was sitting, panting, with big wide eyes
Staring, Staring
I finally realized,
The dog could hear the songbird sing

It has been many years since that songbird sang
I thought it had died

If she be the one,
I will forever be her faithful companion
If not,
I will thank her for awaking the songbird
and letting it sing
For, I am grateful to know that the songbird still lives!