plenty of fish

it was

more like catch and release

for me

and for them,

reeled

in from some dating site

found online

with the click of an eager

finger.

dinner

and drinks,

it got expensive.

rarely did the woman split

the bill.

after all you

had known each other for

at least 30 minutes.

a date

being a date, chivalry and

all.

the feminist movement

died when

she strolled

through the door.

sometimes we were baited

with old photos,

the skinny ones,

on a cruise ship, a dozen

years ago.

and yet,

there was so much in common,

when talking on the phone.

how you laughed and laughed

and laughed.

and then,

it ended.

the check came and she

hurried off

to the bathroom,

her pursed upon her shoulder.

then the awkward walk

to the car.

i'm over here,

i'm over there, you'd say.

handshakes

and off you'd both go.

ships passing in the night,

the next day though,

you'd cast out for more.

there seemed to always be

more.