Anything But Typical

Today, in this dimly lit bar, he feels like he’s on top of the world.
With a true sense of self, he’s poised, hopeful, and ready to seize the day.
With a new outlook on life, he breathes in the world around him, what a fortune it is to be alive.
Just your typical pub in your typical town center in your typical suburban city, but today will prove to be anything but typical.

Today, in this dimly lit bar, she feels like she’s on top of the world.
With a true sense of self, she’s cautious but optimistic, and willing to give the day a chance.
With a guarded smile, she is entrenched with a deep sense of satisfaction, what a fortune it is to be alive. 
Just your typical pub in your typical town center in your typical suburban city, but today will prove to be anything but typical.

The tavern is loud and crowded, and he’s already lost track of her on multiple occasions.
But today is not a day for surrendering. today he is full of courage.
Ihe letdown will occur only if he doesn’t give his most honest attempt.

The pub is busy and alive, and there’s a sense of worriment that she will be lost in the shuffle.
But today is not a day for worrying. today she is full of optimism.
The disappointment will occur only if she doesn’t give him the fairest of chances.

Ready he is to abandon his preconceived notions and forgive his previous futility, failures, and fronts.
Ready he is to initiate a conversation when, usually, his inherent insecurities might otherwise hold him back.
Pushing his reservations to the back of his mind, extending himself past what traditionally feels comfortable. 
This is not his typical self, but today is a day in which he will prove himself to be anything but typical.

Ready she is to abandon her preconceived notions and forgive the lines and lies forced in her head by others. 
Ready she is to give this opportunity its best possible chance by remaining rooted to this stool.
Allowing for the opportunity of a new door to be opened, letting ample enough time to be approached by someone new.
This is not her typical self, but today is a day in which she will prove herself to be anything but typical.

Frantically searching for a way to secure the seat next to her and failing miserably.
There is a couple on her one side and a group of women on her other, thwarting his ability to reach her.
There she sits, staring straight in front of her at nothing in particular.
But the pace at which she is drinking is starting to increase, and he’s worried she’s preparing to leave.
He becomes fearful that he’s going to miss his chance to at least attempt a conversation.
But today is not a day to be passive or to second guess any of his decisions. today is his to seize.
Without delay, he knifes his way through the assembled crowd and nudges himself next to her. “hi”, he says. 

Nervously awaiting his anticipated, or at least hopeful, arrival.
There is a couple on her one side and a group of women on her other, thwarting his ability to reach her.
There she sits, looking forward, but with eyes in the back of her head trying to identify his location.
She’s feeling boxed in. she’s feeling separated. she’s feeling anxious.
Perhaps it’s best that she finish her drink quickly and then venture her way back home.
But today is not a day to do what feels easy. today she is not just willing, but wanting, to open herself to something new.
Suddenly he’s there, having snaked his way through the masses and manages a casual hello.

Willing he is to forget the infinite number of past letdowns that have resulted in a lack of desire to try.
Willing he is to view the disastrous blind dates, fizzled online communications, and other doomed affairs as learning experiences.
Willing he is to pardon himself for his half-hearted attempts, his empty first kisses and promised phone calls that were never made. 
Willing he is to forgive himself for the lies used to protect hurt feelings. 
For this woman is new, has done nothing wrong, and deserves a fair chance.

Willing she is to start fresh and resist the inclination that this too will end poorly. 
Willing she is to allow him to prove his worth or worthlessness by his words and his actions and not those instilled in her by others. 
Willing she is to give him his chance and judge him how by how well he attempts to get to know her.
Willing she is to see what types of questions he asks, which of her answers that he remembers, and the appropriateness of his flirtation. 
For this man is new, has done nothing wrong, and deserves a fair chance.

In a way, it’s as if their entire dating lives have led them to this one, accidental encounter.
She’s never really been much of a believer of chance.
He’s not inclined to think that everything happens for a reason.
She’s not usually inclined to let a stranger buy her a drink.
He’s not one to strike up a conversation with a woman he doesn’t know. 
But today will prove to be anything but typical.

Switching from mimosas to pints of beer as the morning shifts to the afternoon.
The locals continue to arrive, the kegs start empty, and this tavern really starts to come alive.
Swarms of drinkers shoulder past them, each finding their own barstool where they’ll saddle up for the better part of the day.
Whatever sorrows they have or whatever boredom fills their lives soon will be washed away with round after round of a favorite beverage.

The alcohol flows at intervals that are familiar and comfortable to them both.
It allows each of them to maintain that happy go lucky type of buzz that they are each searching for.
Those who are either brave enough or drunk enough venture over to the karaoke area.
Poorly performed renditions of songs by the beach boys, billy joel, madonna, will smith, and rihanna echo in the background.
The poor souls who give it their best chance on stage somehow become the butts of their jokes.

Pure relaxation sets in as the conversations switch freely from work to family to hobbies to past relationships.
Each new topic offers new pathways of interconnectivity that keep the exchange from ever growing stale.
Any inhibitions that would normally resist him from flirting too much give way with each smile received.
He’s, but doesn’t hesitate; he’s confident, but not arrogant
Above all else, there is a sincerity in his eyes that suggest to her that he is worth at least one more drink.

The dialogue is effortless, natural, and genuine; there is nothing that suggests deceit, impatience, or disinterest.
The more he devolves of himself, the more easily she lowers her guard. 
She discloses some of her beliefs and some of her principles that she wouldn’t normally share upon initial contact.
He listens intently, respects all that she says, and tries his hardest to remember every single word.
She turns her stool towards him and their knees brush slightly; it’s a feeling so innocuous, yet so tender that they cannot help but both grin.

He excuses himself to the restroom. He looks into the mirror and tries to settle himself as best as he can. 
Whatever he had tentatively scheduled to do for the rest of the day has quickly been abandoned. 
She has no agenda. she’s just trying to get to know me better.
It’s enough. this just might be enough.

Meanwhile, she sends a text to her friend that she’s going to have to cancel their afternoon plans.
She breathes deeply and tries to settle herself as best as she can.
He has no agenda. he’s just trying to get to know me better.
It’s enough. this just might be enough.

Just your typical pub in your typical town center in your typical suburban city, but today is proving to be anything but typical.

Just another one about two people who meet by chance. Sometimes the greatest of life's experiences can occur when you are least expecting them.

Written in 2013

Copyright, The Poetry of Bryan Buser