virgin

the appeal of a new human connection
relates to how uncluttered the space is
there are fewer gathered assumptions
forgotten threads, hidden impasses
no scores to settle, no avoided fears

it's a newly frozen lake to skate on
a virgin field of fallen snow
a fresh patch of spring grass

expectation from memory is less
curiosity is more
and that appeals
to our child

unshaped and uncharacterized
we feel it has the potential
to be or fit any shape
that we can imagine
or that we expect