too young to know of

proper courting etiquette,

i offered my girlfriend

a scraggly “bouquet”

of roadside wildflowers–

she was so delighted,

she kissed my cheek!

now, after a life-time

of living together,

I know why the memory

of that day stands out

as such a profoundly

momentous occasion:

it was the first exchange

of true feelings between

our innocent souls,

a bouquet for a kiss.

–photo by me