on the 9th he told her 'maybe',
held her hopes within his fist,
at his grandma's hundredth birthday
was the first time that they kissed-

hands held under plastic table,
he was nervous, she was too,
croaky 'happy birthday' voices,
white-permed hair, retirement crew,

halves of wholes in cheap recliners,
secret photo hoards in rooms,
seven worn and wrinkled ladies,
faded brides and missing grooms.

held her hand beneath the table,
held her hopes within his fist-
at his grandma's hundredth birthday
was the first time that they kissed.