Beneath a Flirtation

Alan Harris

A trembling in your hand

as you speak with it

tells me a story far deeper

than the message in your voice.

Your eyes glance to the side

then bounce back to our center,

penetrating my defenses

with a direct melt.

Clever words dance about

your acrobatic tongue,

and we laugh at their ballet

when the sentence ends.

Where is your soul hiding

inside this communication?

What messages are you

sublimating into my inner ear?

I'm hearing a cry for help and love

from deep inside your lilting voice.

I would offer to rescue you,

but I'm nowhere safe myself.

Let us just enjoy our fan dance

of foxy phrases and fencing eyes,

of flashing hands and smiles,

of gambling give and tricky take.

Quickly as our conversation may

cavort and twist and frolic,

its loving undermeaning remains

calm as Mona Lisa's smile.

All