Today’s poem is Did you want to come in? by Temperance Aghamohammadi. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual.

In this episode, Major writes… “Is there any situation more vulnerable for potential, amorous partners than that moment ending an evening of performative first impressions? Personally, I’ve experienced everything from a soft kiss to awkward hugs to clammy handshakes to goodbyes from the driver’s seat followed by screeching tires… which is the equivalent of don’t call us, and we’ll never call you. But then, occasionally, the dreaded decision to wave goodbye, shake hands, hug, or kiss turns into an invitation to stretch the evening longer, maybe to a nearby all-night diner, or an ice-cream parlor, or nightcap at a piano bar or on a couch watching a movie.”

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