Thank you Bob Kaufman: for making me fall in love

I wrote a poem for my wife about the first time I saw her in person. What was our first date. I wanted to share it on her birthday to show my love for my amazing wife and mother of my children. She deserves a medal for putting up with me and Daniel for sure.

——

Thank you Bob Kaufman: for making me fall in love

I remember that night.

I called you gorgeous….
damn well meant it too. We had traveled hours to see
one another, and you were in a parking lot…waiting.

We sat in a mediocre chain Italian restaurant.
Your beauty glowed brightly from the dull
incandescent shine that hung over our heads.

We met in an alien town,
so we scurried around to find
entertainment.

We scavenged a bookstore
and I found a poetry anthology. I read
a poem for you and Bob Kaufman
showcased our night.
“We sat at a corner table,
Devouring each other word by word,
Until nothing was left, repulsive skeletons.”

But most of all, I remember the first time I saw you…
waiting behind the wheel of thousands of pounds of steel
and all I could think about was how beautiful you were…touching
up your lipstick.

 Chris Brown