we build towers to watch them crumble

It was ten o’clock
on a Tuesday night
the last time I had checked
the rain hit the tin roof
with generous aplomb
the sounds of customers
growing to soft whispers
as the autumn chill
made its uninvited entrance
you’d told me somberly
when we met earlier
outside
on the damp corner of 5th and crescent
that you had to work that evening
yet we were steady on
our second bottle of Pinot Gris already
offers of lemon, lime and bitters
charmingly scoffed
as soon as we’d stood at the bar
clearly we required a new challenge
you told me you’d never played Scrabble
warned you could still do a mean Connect Four
I peered through our wine glasses
flaxen like your flowing locks
and a blue boxed Jenga grinned back
you were still a stranger to me
but I knew my skills well
and I made my choice
we played
I let you win at first
of course
our hands dancing a Tango
as they turn taked
in building
slowly growing towers
that would suddenly crumble
all over the floor
our hands reaching for
the same pieces
accidentally
the tension rising
the higher we then climbed
the riskier and more spectacular the fall
would soon be
as our mutual intoxication
bolstered our confidence
I’d deftly snatch out
a block with my
forefinger and thumb
until the watch of
your hypnotised eyes
and I wondered
was it my nonchalance
or my dedication
that impressed you so
and kept you from leaving
and I understood that I would
win this game
and I also comprehended
that eventually
our hazy eyes
and swaying bodies
would fail us both
in creating the perfect tower
of wonder built on
this wobbly oak table
made steady with
bits of cardboard
against the rough floorboards
and I grabbed my glass
warming as the night
rushed by us
and hungrily swallowed
the last drops of liquid
and thought to myself
of the chances I could fail
maybe not tonight
but sooner
probably sooner than later
and on finishing that final gulp
and staring back
into eyes across the table
that
contained oceans
and glancing at
our beautiful tower of Pisa
decided I didn’t care
that the sight of its
decline would be
magnificant
I couldn’t bear
to miss seeing
how far
just how far
it would fall

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Tags:

flirtation, games, jenga, natapee, rain, tension and wine