Teetering in white heels, only a couple inches tall.

Tugging at her dress, making it stay in place,

Blue taffeta with a sweetheart neckline and an a-line skirt.

Fidgeting, curling a strand of her bouncy hair.

She came with a “date”, just a friend for real.

Standing with her girlfriends, giggling away.

Watching the ‘mature’ girls dance with boys.

She and her friends headed outside.

The sun shown bright and a camera came out.

Cheesy smiles, silly poses, and giggles,

Everyone dressed to the nines.

Thirst came over so they head back in.

The punch was sweet and cold,

A boy dressed in a blue suit served the cups.

A slowish song came on, an 80s ballad,

and her ‘date’ swayed awkwardly on the floor.

Finally, the dimmed lights flickered on,

And the kids made their way to the doors.

A quick peck on the cheek for thanks,

Happy she didn’t have to go it alone.

First Dance.

Out of the running. She turned away.

Why does she discount herself like this?

Being a peace keeper is her default.

Stepping back to the safety of shadows.

She’ll fight and will be headstrong, then,

She just shuts down. Why?

It’s a defense mechanism,

From beating her head

into brick walls too many times;

A quiet whisper repeatedly torturing…

You aren’t good enough. Not worthy.

And whole bunch of other crap.

She knows those words are lies,

But she seeks peace instead of fighting,

Calm and quiet instead of drama.

Hug her, hold her, understand, and let her be.

She’ll come back stronger, she just needs time.

Travel beckons and I hear it’s call.

My life has led me near and far.

But one place I have not seen

Still echoes it’s call within me.

It’s not my culture, but I appreciate it.

Please no claims of misappropriation!

Growing up, I had an aunt,

She heard the same call.

She would buy me trinkets

From various Asian cultures.

I still display a few of these things.

A small silk covered jewelry box

With embroidered butterflies

Sits on my jewelry cabinet.

A marble piece, hand painted,

With a dark haired geisha under a Sakura.

I remember going to EPCOT,

The world showcase was the best.

I loved wandering through the Japan pavilion

And the China one too. Items of bamboo

And jade, silk and such; but oh, the food!

Teppanyaki was fun to watch,

And red bean ice cream for desert to boot.

But what I loved the most were the quiet spots,

Koi ponds and bamboo watering spouts,

Gentle sounds and calming waters about.

As I grew older, my tastes became more worldly,

I discovered “real” Asian cuisine,

Hibachi, noodles, sushi and dim sum, my fav!

I had done dim sum in Florida, but

I was amazed when I enjoyed it in San Fran.

The lines were out the door,

the steam carts were flowing,

And the kitchen specials were amazing.

Give me bao buns and gai lan with oyster sauce any day!

When I found myself single at 31,

I fell in love with a JC Penney framed piece,

Just a print of a simple vase holding orchids;

It included Asian details, such as a Hanko.

It hangs over my dresser, near my trinkets,

Including a silk fan with my name in script.

So imagine my surprise years later,

You sporting that Japanese Superman shirt;

I didn’t forget how you liked the displays at EPCOT

and the katanas at Downtown Disney too.

I can’t help but wonder about so much…

One day, I hope to make it to that part of the world,

I just wonder who will be standing by my side.

Imagine being so excited, you just can’t wait.

The future is about to arrive,

Your heart beats hard in your chest.

He looks your way and smiles.

All you see is everything you want,

Everything you need,

Everything you ever hoped for.

Music has barely started.

No bouquet in hand.

However, you can’t wait!

You take off running to join him.

Your satin skirt floats on air.

Heels clicking across the tiles.

Giggles from your guests arise.

You stop and your skirt twirls and settles.

You turn, giving him a giddy smile.

He chuckles with excitement of his own.

Your eyes dance as you look at each other

Filled with so much love.

---

Inspired by a video I saw on instagram. I wonder what it would feel like to be this excited. Imagine being so in love!

A rapid knock came from the front door;

Then the driver ran off to deliver something else.

Down the street the tail lights wandered off,

Before I could even fumble to the stoop.

I swung open the screen and what did I see?

A two-foot tall can with a design just for me.

The tin can was rather light as I picked it up.

I suspected its contents for just a moment.

A card greeted me under the gigantic bow.

“Wait to open until the first snow!”

I looked out to the colorful leaves,

It could be days or weeks before that day.

But I set it in the corner by the tree to wait.

Anticipation grew as the days shrunk.

We questioned and pondered and almost peeked.

But finally the clouds turned gray,

And the first dusting fell from the skies.

Out came the blankets and movies,

A cuddle fest was on for that night.

I looked at him and said, “Alright!

Time to see what auntie had in mind!”

So I peeled off the lid and let it clang to the ground.

I ripped open the vacuum packed bag,

Then, smells of caramel and cheese bloomed!

Something from my childhood I so enjoy, “Here!”

“Have a handful of Chicago style POPCORN!”

---

Inspired by Lady Jabberwocky’s prompt:http://ladyjabberwocky.com/2022/09/12/prompt-of-the-week-ill-grab-the-popcorn/

Crickets chirp in the dusky twilight.

Night will soon be upon us again,

You and I will be under the same moon.

Softly I smile, happy for you and your life,

Shared with me in the occasional photo.

I forced myself to stay away when you were near;

Not wanting to interfere, as if I even could!

But I missed you, your touch, your friendship.

So we built our lives on separate paths,

Making them as solid as we could, knowing,

At any moment the right match could ignite,

So we kept buckets handy to squelch the flame.

Mine tied to commitment and duty,

Yours to the same but even more.

However, I hope you know my heart by now.

When commitments and duties are done,

May we find the path to our true love.

Inconsolable, I fell down the well of darkness.

Hurting, curled up, tired of the emotional beatings.

No one is responsible for my pain,

It is my own mind unleashing wrath,

Anxiety blowing events out of proportion.

He tries to understand, but doesn’t

He stands there, cross armed, grilling.

What happened? How can I help?

I don’t understand you through your tears.

How can he not see that I need to be held?

I need warmth and soothing and comfort.

I won’t ask though. I can barely get out a word.

Nothing he did, just getting overwhelmed.

Embarrassed in front of my peers and staff.

A clueless and careless presentation by another.

Do this, don’t to that! See this, don’t do this.

It is just the straw that broke the camel’s back.

But he doesn’t understand. So he walks off.

Letting me writhe in my own pain.