Why Did I Kiss You?
_I kissed you with no warning.
_You softly asked me why.
_I said that passion baffles,
_that it can mystify.
The reasons why I kiss you are
_like petals on a rose.
There are so many that it’s hard
_to pin it down. Who knows?
_It’s not because I love you,
though I am your loving man.
_It’s not because I like you,
though you know I am a fan.
It’s not because I had to work,
_and it was time to go.
It’s not because we stood beneath
_a Christmas mistletoe.
It’s not because I like to tease,
_to hint at something more.
It’s not because I like to please,
_though that has worked before.
I have, for lo these many years,
_been your adoring gent.
And gradually you’ve given me
_your generalized consent.
So when I kiss you, there’s no scheme,
_no calculus or plan.
I feel the urge and so I do it…
_just because I can.
Mark F. Stone worked as an attorney (active duty and civil service) for the United States Air Force for 33 years and is retired. He began writing poems in 2005, as a way to woo his bride-to-be into wedlock. His poems have been published by The Epoch Times, Light, Lighten Up Online, The Ohio Poetry Association, The Road Not Taken: The Journal of Formal Poetry, Ric Edelman’s The Truth About Your Future podcast, and the Seeking Alpha Alpha Picks podcast.
One question from your bio, Mark. Did it work?
As for your poem, it is succinct, well written and funny. Just the right medicine to start the weekend.
Paul, The answer to your question is: Yes. And I’m glad you enjoyed the poem.
Ah, that elusive kiss, and finally it happens. I think we’ve all had that experience. Well done, Mark.
Paul, Thank you!
Mark, this is so beautiful – the rhyme, the rhythm, and the root cause of that just-because-I-can kiss – the indelible kiss that burns for all eternity – the very best there is! You have captured it perfectly. Thank you!
Susan, Wow! I’m flattered. Thank you for your kind words!
Great poem Mark. I liked it when you read it at the Symposium, and I like seeing it in print now. Just a lovely sentiment!
Russell, Thank you. I appreciate your comment!
Mark, your kiss poem got me to thinking about the happy, light-hearted kind of lyric it is. There must be many in history, but I think more in the last couple of centuries. Since you mention mistletoe, you might like my favorite, “Under the Mistletoe” by Countee Cullen. That poet’s surprising achievement is to write a kiss poem without the word “kiss.” Yours is to create such an amusing compendium of reasons for kissing–and to mark it contemporary to our age of harassment complaints, by including the quasi-legal term, “generalized consent.”
Margaret, I just read “Under the Mistletoe” and I also like it. I’m glad you found my poem to be amusing.
“That poet’s surprising achievement is to write a kiss poem without the word ‘kiss’.” Excellent observation, Margaret.
Always a chuckle with a great Mark Stone poem, and the especial gem in this one is the rhyming of ‘adoring gent’ with ‘generalised consent’ – that word ‘generalised’ is just brilliant: it expresses that ‘almost’ ennui in which we understand perfectly how women put up with men!
James, You are very perceptive and quite right that “generalized” is the key word in the poem. Thank you for your kind words!
Exactamundo!
C.B., I’m glad you concur!
Charming.
Daniel, Thank you!