It always starts the same.

His teeth are shiny and his hair is
perfectly unkempt,
because a boy that beautiful
doesn't need to try.

He reminds her of her father,
the way he talks with his hands
wildly,
and when he talks with his mouth
softly,
he emphasizes all the right sounds.

He smells like her childhood,
and it's all she wants for her future.
The ring of his laugh,
she swears she heard years ago in a dream.
She's kept it in her ear all this time
and plans to for the rest of time.

He doesn't need to convince her of his perfection.
He doesn't need to do a **** thing.
He doesn't need to need.
She is full of enough need
and want
and wish
for them both.

It always starts the same.
And all I can do is hope that
this time
it will end differently.