i am sitting at the table

she is finishing the meal

they come off in compartments

dishes arrive, she turns and heads for another

i play each arrival over and over

the smells assault me. i am watering taste buds

never do i lose my sight of her

as she maneuvers thru each wrap-up

turns and delivers

my eyes follow her every step

then comes the finale

it is all set up

it is now we bow our heads

begin our moment of gratitude

my eyes return to her

she breathes heavily in

surveys her skills now residing in dishes

looks back at me and smiles

there is nothing commonplace in my life

not a moment exists that my eyes

do not hunger for her

i told her once why i compared me to a butterfly

because dear, if i were visioning a moth 

lost chasing a flame
i would have been foolishly consumed

that first night in our Italian restaurant

what i call my That's Amore moment

when i fully realized it was you

sitting across from me

i would have perished in that candle

missed my first dance with you

my dear, holding you was far better

then hoping for that piece of spaghetti

bringing me to your lips

Tramp got lucky with Lady

but i got far luckier

why sometimes i have to pinch myself

as i watch you, a reminder it is not wishful thinking
that all of this is my constant reality
may sound a bit emotional, it is
an emotion that runs from my heart to my soul

why my eyes return to her

why the swallows return to Capistrano

2/25/19