When a Beautiful Woman Begins the Conversation
Aug 4 2007


A beautiful woman looked me in the eye,
and with an easy knowing smile
spoke;
so naturally, I thought for sure we must already have met
— perhaps at work, or a mutual friend.
But I came up blank
flustered by such unexpected attention;
not to mention self-absorbed, as usual
stuck in this annoying line.
But I can still see how she laughed with her eyes
amused at my awkwardness and impatience,
and still feel her gaze on that small cellophane package
brightly recommending peanut butter for my mousetraps.
I nodded agreeably
blushing at such instant intimacy
— her knowing I was infested with mice, that is
and assuming who-knows-what about my state of personal hygiene.

She was tall and blonde and striking
with those smiling eyes,
and if it wasn’t for those mousetraps
I’m sure I would have stopped to chat.
But instead, there I was
walking alone in the parking lot at Wal-Mart
clutching my tiny bag
wondering if this is how lovers meet
— the chance intersection of busy lives
in a crowded check-out line
some random afternoon.

But the feeling you get
when a beautiful woman begins the conversation
and seems to be enjoying it
sticks with you the rest of the day
and later that night.
Especially a woman who’s apparently well-acquainted with mice
and other vulnerable prey;
perhaps setting her own gentle trap
into which a much smarter man
would have happily fallen.