I look over the yellowed stub
of a coat check ticket
finding the red corner
where it joined us in drinking punch,
trying to get inbetween as we got closer -
the sweat smell that still permeates it,
from when I was fingering it in my pocket
as I asked you to dance,
and we danced through the night,
bodies so close,
I could feel your nervous sweat
and your hands on my back.
Most important though, the fold
where it got crushed
when I pulled you close
and brushed my lips over your cheek
in a soft goodnight kiss.
Lawrence R. Daffner, 2/94