December 21, 1961
The doorbell rings
My thirteen year old sister, Lauren
Answers the door, let's Will in and
Runs upstairs where I am applying lipstick in
The spacious bedroom, which we share, and
Just before making my way downstairs
Where Will is waiting to catch his first glimpse of
His blind date, I take one last glance into
The full length mirror, and
This is what I see:
I see a dark haired, blue eyed girl, wearing
A royal blue blouse, but only
The collar can be seen, because
Will has suggested dressing warmly
Why?
Well, our date will take place outside
Under the stars, and as we live in
The Midwest, Jack Frost is sure to
Nip at my nose, so I've slipped
A long sleeved, crew neck sweatshirt, colored
In a bright, cheerful gold over
My royal blue blouse
As girls, wearing jeans, are a few years down the road
My sunny sweatshirt is paired with
Navy blue slacks over knee high, argyle socks ...
(I find it of interest to note
How clearly detailed my mind proves to be when
Fear does not repress memory into shadows of darkness)
As the city has been newly covered with a
Significant snowfall (which saw me
Shoveling away at our front walk
Earlier in the day), I plan to wear
Water proof boots rather than shoes, so
As soon as I appear at the top of the staircase in my
Sunny, yellow sweatshirt, royal blue collar and navy slacks
And my presence catches Will's eye
I can't help but blush self consciously while offering my date
A slightly tremulous smile as my gold and navy argyle socks
Make their way down the staircase, until Will's upturned face
Breaks into such an eye-sparkling, wide, unwavering grin that
With each step I take, my shyness gives way to
A self confident smile by the time my gold and navy argyle socks
Step onto the foyer floor, where, upon
Looking up at this tall, young man—who will, one day
Father my children—intuition guides me to
Welcome a stranger, named Will, ever so warmly into my life …
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