The Date (Pt.2)

A follow-on from Glances... As part of a narrative, please read that one first. Thanks

The Date

… The great leap of faith 'Perhaps we can meet?'

Just glad she can't see me, I'm white as a sheet....

Thank you God, I'm just stunned she said 'Yes'

In denial, my brain's seized, my head's in a mess.

First problem is where should we let this begin?

Automatically try to choose the best inn

Nothing too fancy or posh, that's for sure

Save that for later when I earn a bit more

Even so, I've got doubts and don't want her to think

That the first thing I want is to ply her with drink

Go for coffee or tea? I still can't be sure

Not getting her drunk, but does it make me a bore?

Or what could be worse, I don't want that at all

Is her holding me up, 'cause I'm drunk and I'll fall

Probably best to give the home town a miss

In case mates all show up, and just take the mickey.

Now what to wear? What will she think normal?

I like my suits, is that smart or too formal?

Or will she think I've come straight from my job?

I'm not wearing trackies, she'll think I'm a slob.

I'll go onto Facebook and check out her pics,

See what she's used to... it should give me a fix.

Thinking again though, perhaps I should not

I'm me and I'm different. I have my own slot.

What if there's silence? Do I just look at my feet?

Think on your toes lad! You don't need a crib sheet.

Just don't overthink this, you really can't know,

Just take as you find and go with the flow.

What to chat about? What do I want to know?

What she does with her free time? That should be a go.

Does she like to read? And what kind of book?

If she says it's all romance... don't give her the look!

Her body looks great, as God is my witness

Go on, just ask her, Does she enjoy fitness?

No classes or that, she just likes to run

'That's crazy,' I say, 'that's what I do for fun.'

What about marathons? I ask to her face.

'I'm competitive' she says, 'no fun in a race.

I'd be trying to win, it's just how I rock.

I could cover the distance, but not to the clock.'

That sound just like me, because back in school

The fastest got chosen, I went slow, I'm no fool

When I started to win at the end of the season.

They thought I'd improved, seeing no other reason

She asks 'Except running, is there another sport?'

Since seven there was rugby, and Union's my sort.
Until I grew taller and basketball beckoned,

There was only rugby, or that's what I reckoned

Music? I like some from every type,

Apart from 'Pop', that's not talent, just hype.

From my parents I hear all sorts, while I'm sat at home,

But have you heard these on YouTube?.. and get out my phone

So we sit with our phones and swap a few tracks

And talk about music, and swap random facts

Then talk about films and what we like to watch

We're agreed on the Potter ones, They're all top notch.

She says that at home she curls up with a book,

And a mug of hot chocolate, in her favourite nook.

She can re-read some of them, but only a few,

Usually she's too keen to find something new.

Me, I choose fantasy, and meet an imaginary race.

She doesn't agree, I can see by her face.

But all fiction is fantasy, don't you agree?

That's true to a point... it's a fact I can see

But we both like the 'Potters', in film anyway,

Are magic spells real? Not in my day.

What about Dickens? characters born in his mind.

Twist, Fagin and Dodger �" Not real, you will find.

The times and the places were pretty much real,

Fiction and fantasy, that's the difference I feel.

But how far into history do you think fiction can go?

Before it's all fantasy �" because we'll never know.

Bringing this conflict to a close in the bud,

I suggest that to test if an author is good,

Do we care for the characters, there in the book?

If good or bad happens, do we give a toss?

I don't drive just yet, but soon I will learn.

I couldn't before �" I chose learn over earn.

Now college is done and I've started working,

My sister says 'Good', she thought I was shirking.

We talked of our music and the books that we read,

And the things upon which our intellect fed.

But then 'Oh my Lord! Have you seen the time?'

And she goes home her way, and I go home mine.

As homeward I trundle, as I sit on the bus,

I can't help but wonder 'Will there be an us?'.

And I wonder whether she is thinking the same,

And whether she'll remember and think of my name.

I was pleased when my jokes would bring forth a chuckle,

Even the ones that were close to the knuckle.

She even told me some, well I'll eat my hat

I've not known another girl who told jokes like that.

I think she's fantastic. I don't want this to end.

But I can only be me �" I mustn't pretend.

So far what she's seen has all been pure me

No pretence and no posing �" we'll just have to see.

I hope that works and she can like what she finds,

If not I'll be gutted if she changes her mind.

I suppose it's all better if failure is fast,

If it's built on pretending, you know it can't last.

Author's Note

Like Glances... entertainment - not Art or Literature.

Reviews

[Country boy183798]

A very fun poem once again! And one that many can relate to. Brought back memories of my first date (which did not go as good as the one in the poem). I really like the poem, and I smiled all the way through till the end. Thank you for sharing it, always be yourself, stay cool, and keep on writing! :)

[Tinman07]

Thanks again Ed, I'm glad you enjoyed it, and that you found the touch of reality edged with humour. That's the plan.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

with failure or success on dates, we need to be ourselves...we don't want her to fall for another and then find out who we really are....

from the start, no pretenses...

we all go through this on first dates...and you told a really good story here---

it's entertaining and enlightening too...most can relate...started to feel a little long at times...but then the humor picked it back up...

j.