First Kiss

How strange it was to find a heart
When first I pulled thee down to kiss;
How deep a wrench, even then, to part,
Even then knowing I would thee miss.

How quick to love, how deep to feel,
Have we been friends so brief a time?
Ages ago, a kiss I'd steal;
Flirting only, no cause for rhyme.

But thou hadst long then lovéd me
And took the chance, thy love to show.
When thou returned kiss tenderly,
My stupid heart at last did know.

For I had drawn thee near in jest,
I thought thee far too young to care.
My Melisande, thou art the best
My soul was ever made to share.

—San Diego, California
10/2/1975