By the guppy
Date: 9 February 2000

winning the loss

a lightning bolt, sizzling style
a starlit gaze that could make you blind
she said she'd walked a thousand miles
in search of something she'd hoped to find

i pulled out my pencil, i drew out her picture
a stick-figure on fire was the best i could sketch it
i scribbled her digits, asked if i could fix her
she said, "find what i'm missing and be certain to fetch it"

i nodded like a fool, and ran to the store
wandered around in the clothing department
the saleswoman asked, "what are you looking for?"
and i realized i had no idea what she meant

"me?, i don't need anything", i said with a cough
"well, why are you here?", she asked, being sincere
"i'm looking for something that some girl lost...
my male intuition said that i should look here"

the saleswoman punched me, my nose started bleeding
she called me a sexist for making that claim
she yelled, "intuition is something all males are needing...
i bet you don't even remember her name"

"well, i didn't forget it, i just never knew it"
she said, "i bet you never thought to ask"
i'd have told that to her, but she beat me to it
so, i ran out offended, and continued the task

i came to a phone booth and stepped on in
checked the change slot, as was my tradition
she answered by saying "the meter is runnin'"
i said "what meter?...this is a timed mission?"

she giggled, "aren't you glad that you dialed?"
i asked for her name and she said, "mona lisa"
i said, "i thought i remembered your smile"
she said, "yeah, some things are priceless, for the rest use visa"

"look, i'm trying to help you, stop goofing around"
she said, "you'd best hurry, i'll be gone in an hour"
"an hour is almost as good as a lifetime...
'cept not too much time for smelling the flowers"

i dropped the phone and sprinted away
frustrated and very confused by her humor
i'd only known her for about half a day
if it was my choice, i'd have met her sooner

i looked all around for this thing she'd mislaid
i thought i had found it a few times, but was wrong
not the jeweler, bartender, nor priest offered aid
the clock counted the hour...i'd taken too long

i walked slowly back to the place she had stood
nothing was left but a note in the road
i read it...sure that it wouldn't be good
it read:

"the beauty of life is to watch love unfold"

she stepped from the shadows, lightning in her smile
"i thought you were gone"...i was shocked...i was grounded
she kissed me and said, "i've walked a thousand miles...
i couldn't leave love behind...now that i've found it"