I spoke to a lizard today, softly.
The lizard listened, splayed
against the wall by my front door.
I delayed my entrance in favor of
an intimate moment with life
like and unlike mine.
The lizard stayed still,
lifted its head, moving it
occasionally side to side
with eyes meeting my eyes.
So green, when all the many I see
in my yard are mostly brown,
so beautifully bright and green
I had to praise the lizard's color,
almost cooing to this creature, willing
to listen, not scurrying away.
It didn't seem alarmed
and I was happy
to think it liked my soft-spoken
attention. I was the first to interrupt
our rendezvous, moving slowly
to open the door. I saw the lizard remain,
still declining a hasty retreat,
so green, perfectly formed,
tiny feet, hands thin-fingered gracing the stucco wall,
pinpoint eyes black and shiny, on me——for a moment
I fell in love.


© by Jacquelyn Shah.
Used with the author's permission.