Catfish & Fries Poem by Alexander Beebe

The first time I saw her was in a little café
Just on the edge of a Bama interstate.
As fate would have it the diner was full
except for the bar stool, the one next to hers.
She wore red fitted jeans and a white-buttoned blouse
My heart started pounding when she looked up and smiled.

The menu was simple, the options were few
When suddenly she said, “try the catfish with fries!
And the hushpuppies too.”
I asked her while grinning was that also her choice?
Yes! she responded, and I’ve had it before.
The waiter asked me “what will it be? ”
I’ll have what she’s having, and a glass of sweet tea.

I’ve never been lucky in matters of love
I’m told it’s too complicated and hard to resolve.
But now it’s my hope that it all was a lie
It could be as simple as catfish and fries.

We sat there all day just sharing our stories
Of what paths we’ve crossed and where life was going.
We spoke of our heartaches and past disappointments
Our joys and victories and life’s special moments.

And then it just happened without any warning
She looked in my eyes just starring and glowing.
That feeling you get when two hearts collide
It happened that day over catfish and fries.

I’ve never been lucky in matters of love
I’m told it’s too complicated and hard to resolve
But now I am certain it all was a lie
Sometimes it’s as simple as catfish and fries.