Impulse Purchase

I picked up a pint of ice cream,
you reached in for frozen peas;
we looked up and there we were,
frozen in our pleasantries.

Very nice of you to say
I’m looking very good these days,
very big of you to grin
and to ask me how I’ve been;

I could see you size me up
trying to measure my success,
and I caught you eye my finger
as my eyes fell down your dress.

You asked about my folks
and I asked about your work;
we held our breath and tongues,
the civil bitch and gentle jerk.

And for a quiet moment
that seemed twenty minutes long
we thought about how right we were
before we went all wrong.

An awkward take it easy,
a little coughed take care,
pretending that the coolers
put that shiver in the air;

And no, time has not touched you,
and yes, I’m doing fine,
but I put the ice cream back
and headed straight for Beer & Wine.