Silver Spring

Was it the time
I thought Martha Narensky had returned
and ran down the street after her
only to find I was a fool?

Was it the time I couldn't speak
and sat at the table for two hours
silently gazing at Kathy's eyes?

Was it the time I was so full
of failure that I poured my confession
on hapless Milicent until her father
asked me to leave? Was it when
I returned in the middle of the night
dropping my very best door painting
on her porch?

Was it the time I held to my lips
the hand of forlorn Elizabeth before
she went where she went?

What prepared me
for love?