finding us in love

This moment in time
is a world in itself,
breathing, growing on me:

all those years ago,
we sat in the canteen
and I answered your question with:
“I fought a battle and lost”.

Your hand on my cheek,
softly
and still I did not believe your aye.

I had fought my love for you,
for I feared your nay,
feared losing you as a friend too
(better to hide and laugh,
than to love and lose –
my life’s sentence, it seemed).

But in my confusion I almost missed
your hidden“Aye” leaving your mouth,
for my mind twisted meaning by nerves
too sensitive to listen;

until your “goodbye” became “till tomorrow”
with a kiss
that grew slowly,
steadily over the years −

and yes,
when you smile,
my heart
still skips a beat or two.