Dancing With Olivia

four

the look on her face

was a mix of surprise and confusion,

but her response was simple:

"why me?"

i tilted my head,

as if a puzzled animal,

and answered her honestly.

"because you're beautiful."

the wrinkles that now creased

her forehead told me

that it had been a long time

since anyone had told her that;

if anyone ever.

she looked up at me with

almost sad eyes.

"why would you say that?"

i blinked at her obliviousness

to her own literally

breathtaking exterior.

"because it's true."

her eyes showed disbelief

and maybe pain,

but she nodded her head

and i held out my hand

to guide her to the slippery

gym floor.