It’s always unexpected when
the musty smell of a book,
music of Leonard Cohen,
or news item from Idaho, evokes
longing for the man who pulled
me into the queue for class
registrations so many years ago.
I knew breaking line was wrong
but I nestled next to him
and lost my heart to the Navy
veteran I’d met in German class
the semester before. Tall, blond Adonis,
he plucked me, shy. socially inept
and insecure, from a swamp of despair
and self-loathing, convinced me
I was attractive, desirable, my studies
in math and philosophy worthy of pursuit,
and our future together bright with possibility.
His arms provided needed sanctuary
and helped me unfold the wings
with which I would ultimately fly.