Intimate & Innocent
were the best of friends
born on the avenue of Alphabet
in the town of Dictionary

Now Intimate, he'd known
many more adjectives
guys and gals, from A to Z
but Innocent being rather shy
kept only close to him

then one fine evening Intimate
asked Innocent out for coffee
after a silent stroll downtown
he needed to get talking
so they found a quiet cafe

"I've followed you
these many years
our letters being so close
and no-one ever changes
the order round for us

now I'm stepping forward
our friendship’s been enduring
since that twist of destiny
when I searched ahead to meet someone
and you looked back for me
but don't you feel the shift now
a desire for something more?"

He squirmed and swallowed hard
stretching tender hand to hers

Innocent blushed
then lowered her eyes from his
for she was wise as she was shy
"think I'll get another drink
would you like a refill, too?"
Rising she brushed
against his arm, and on them both
the goosebumps grew

connections caused her chills
then started a first fire
she slipped her soft curves past him
next moment she was gone

"Ever since our days in lower case"
she confided to herself
"we've had an easy contact
now why does my stomach burn and soar?
and he shake and stammer so?”

On the long wait at the counter
she glanced back to find
some woman touching Intimate
her body language frank and fond

Innocent's insides churned.
she madly seized the coffees
then rushed right back
that woman was in Her seat!

Beauty was inadequate
so early in the Alphabet
for the siren's low-in-the-book looks
his own face aglow, from lusty lures

Innocent knew a different B word
for her - but only sent
drafts of cold air to the 'guest'
who stamped a lipstick peck
upon his cheek - then left

Innocent's heart sunk
to her lungs

the hint of wanderlust
in Intimate's eye
forced her to inquire
"That woman, what's her name, her letter?
From what page does she come?"

"Oh, just a former flame," he said
'Immediate', they call her."

Innocent's sting wouldn't soften soon
that someone from just ahead of her
could jump right in between them
rip her pages out
by stealing her best friend?

No time to be complacent
she told him they must talk
of new and pressing things
her cheeks turned rose, her mouth dry
as she spoke, his eyes hot upon her throat

"I've thought of what you said tonight
One day soon, the time may come
when we will want to cross a line
let's keep in mind where we come from
our purer days together
don't take me to the Z's too fast
or lose me in the A's

I may not easily find my way
or read front-to-back like you
and may prefer my own syntax
in other styles, I'm way ahead
we'll fill each other's gaps

but let L(ove) be our only Y
and the season be just right
for both me and U
I promise
I will think on this
If you promise to stay true."

Intimate reached for Innocent
and with fond, familiar hug
he squeezed her tight
adding a new & tempting twist

11/29/2000