Sometimes it’s token courtesy,
the hug,
with strangers,
acquaintances,
friends.
Sometimes,
with close friends,
it’s more.
And with that one,
it’s
let’s take it next door
where we can be
alone
together.
And then there was that time
at a party
which memory blurs
between high school
and after
and I didn’t go to parties
enough
to know
what to expect
and there were
these two girls
around the edges
one thin
one extra eager pounds
tired of waiting
when the token hug
was seized
she grabbed me
to her
thrust
crotch to crotch
and up
and I thought
“Well,
That wasn’t subtle.”
And I thought
“I’d better look
in the mirror,
because, when I used to joke
that I’m
devastatingly handsome,
apparently,
it’s no joke.”
And I thought
maybe parties should
post a sign:
“Beware!
Wolves!
Trial balloons!”
I guess I need
to get out more often
to see where
I fit in.