First Dates

Flail lips and clumsy stares

we fall into chairs

and conversations spill out

in loose change memories.

We pull pennies from sentences

and stack them relatable.

What our stumble tongues mean;

is we try to connect

in nickel and dime facts.

What I mean is

first dates is drowning

with wave arm attention

and gasping minutes.

What I mean to say is

first dates are all awkward postures

and floundering hands.

What I am trying to say is

I hate dating.