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Fieldwork
by Leslie Ann EisenbergA cynical waif on her way to class
one chill October eve greets an unusual man
not quite her type, striking in a way unfamiliar.
It is not fair to say she can assess much in this first sighting.
Mostly, she notates the physical planes and curves:
A bright silk orange shirt with nary a crease drapes a
chiseled body, dark skin escaping neatly rolled up sleeves.
Chestnut curls halo a soft, shaven neck and nobly angled face.
Thickly arched brows of intrigue so-alive intent eyes of firelight green
crinkle in concert with a soft smile, speaking
the gentle bravado of an inviting Hello.
They share the usual pleasantries at a corner pizza joint,
the tang of nerves subsiding as they drain their glasses.
Food is abandoned in favor of earnest talk and she is
pleasantly surprised to find much to smile about.
But the unfamiliar does not end with the fine outer package
of this unusual man, nor with the surprise of common goals.
Beneath these shiny eyes deep cave pools splash multiple dimensions.
Thin, soft lips sing stories with vigor and it becomes quite
clear that his every act is imbued with unstoppable passion.
The drive with which he charges down the basketball court.
The allegiance expressed for his big and equally animated family.
The complete attention with which he locks her in his gaze.
Although in theory inconceivable, unachievable,
she calculates the probability of becoming
the recipient of such bottomless zeal.
Could his fascination with her every word
be extrapolated to undying devotion and fidelity?
Now, that, she concludes, would be highly unusual.
As the Math major dares to dream, he drops his voice deeper,
pulls his face ever closer, reaching boldly to grasp her hand,
to turn it over and stroke her palm with soothing fingertips,
penetrating something deeper than her permutations of possibility.
10/27/2006 Posted on 10/27/2006
Copyright © 2024 Leslie Ann Eisenberg
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by Kristina Woodhill on 10/27/06 at 03:07 PM A most excellent read!! I love your descriptions of this unusual man, how he affects you, and when you reveal your mathematical mind and how you evaluate your possibilities, a whole nother depth is added to this fine writing. |
| Posted by Chris Sorrenti on 10/27/06 at 06:05 PM Text nicely reflects its title. An easy to visualize scenario thanks to your descriptiveness Leslie. |
| Posted by Gregory O'Neill on 10/27/06 at 07:13 PM Hi Leslie. "dark skin escaping neatly rolled up sleeves" -- is just one wounderful line...and there are so many here! Quite intriguing throughout. Great write, thanks. |
| Posted by Maria Terezia Ferencz on 10/27/06 at 11:01 PM Thanks for the vicarious perfect first date.....
I like the intelligence/sexiness combo...Can I have this guy's # :) |
| Posted by Rachelle Howe on 10/28/06 at 04:32 PM You should write romance novels. *GRIN* The imagery is fantastic and I like the blend, as others have said. Yeah. Name him Fabio Jr. and write a romance novel.... then again, scratch the Fabio part. Just let your images ride. |
| Posted by Steven Kenworthy on 10/28/06 at 06:49 PM wow what consonance you killer you. this poem is intense! i like it a lot...it's so mysterious because of the man in the poem, giving it SO much character. this reads almost like a short story with an intro, body and conclusion although i think anyone who reads this is going to want to know the rest. it's like a cliffhanger with really smart people. FINE work le! |
| Posted by Joe Cramer on 10/30/06 at 06:05 PM An excdeptional piece.... I enjoyed the emotions! |
| Posted by Jared Fladeland on 10/31/06 at 05:46 AM sensuous. I dunno. I seem to sense a change in your style over the past few poems you've posted. Perhaps a bold adventure in the land of word play? |
| Posted by Kathleen Wilson on 12/19/06 at 07:42 AM It is interesting how you have used mathematical terms throughout, and then in the end revealed the "math major". I wondered at the beginning why you used "notates" rather than notes--but it all became clear. She "notates the physical planes and curves" there are "multiple dimensions" "theory inconceivable, unachievable", she "calculates the probability of becoming..." and" extrapolated permutations of possibility". You probably know that my husband is a Professor of Mathematics at Caltech... and he chose me... (unusual and passionate) actually--that's what he wanted. I go to math conferences with him so I know some of the language--but don't understand too much...He's poetic too, as you may also know, he and I wrote a long haiku exchange and have read it at poetry readings. Back to your poem--great "Fieldwork"! |
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