"Love starts with a smile,
grows with a kiss,
and ends with a teardrop."

It all started with a smile.
You were standing in the book store adjacent from the coffee shop;
I being a writer looked around for prime subjects to describe.
This coffee shop did not allow a person to smoke so almost simultaneously
We left to catch a puff.

Got to talking, found out your name, didn't bother to write it down
In the note pad of my mind.
Pointing to my head I said "I've got it made, how 'bout you?"
You shook your head, still confused.
That's okay, we've got time.

Back at home I let you wait three days to call me since that's an old rule.
We never went out on a date but it's common courtesy to give a girl
A chance to meet someone.
Someone better than you.

Called you over for some tea, you liked chai and I just wrote about you.
You wanted to see what I wrote but I didn't dare.
Hearts strewn across the page;
What an embarrassment!
Kiss kiss, fall in love.

I let our love grow with our first kiss.
You wanted more but I said to wait,
Plus your breath tasted stale.
Giving you a breath mint and no hard feelings, I said we'd keep in touch.
Optimistically of course.

I kept forgetting to call but your messages kept reappearing on the answering machine.
As if someone was rebirthing them from the graveyard of dead messages.
I swear I'll return your call.
Once I learn to tell you the truth.

You found me at the bookstore, the last place you thought to look.
I was writing about my new beau and how I was missing something;
You kind of fit in where the space in my fingers began and I realized my new beau
Was nothing compared to what we had.
I kissed you as a teardrop rolled down my face.

I bid you adieu because I can't live with knowing how hurt I made you feel.
All those missed calls, all those breath sweeteners.
Every breath you took was a thunderous sound, like the snoring of my husband.
Should I tell him I love you still?
Misplaced feelings.