I had really hoped
that things would fall in place
and the mild flirtation we shared
would eventually allow

me to kiss you

but instead you went back to your room
and i paused, only for a second
and saw myself in third person
as a movie star
in some passionate melodramatic
nineteenforties black and white
tv-dinner special

I walked back slowly
fantasizing about how I’d
call you Doll
and you’d be quite a dish
and I’d smoke a cigarette
in every scene

and when I kissed you
you’d throw your leg up

— Lance, circa 1996