Nice Work If You Can Get It

my head is spinning at the number of beginnings,
so many ships leaving harbour,
setting sail.

i got lost somewhere between your jawline and your ear--
that curve your fingers brush past every time you tuck your hair behind your ear--
but only for a moment;

normally i tiptoe into eye contact,
silently padding from your shoulder to your chin,
carefully avoiding any downward glances to ease into your eyes.

but sometimes,
like this time,
that one curve catches me and i'm sure you notice my momentary hesitation
because you drop your eyes a little to find mine,
a smile hedging at one corner of your mouth-
i can't help but see that smile, it's right next to the jawline that caught me-
and i hope you haven't noticed.

but i so hope that you have.