Ode to a silly girl

She loves soccer

and has her favorites
eyes glued to the screen
a half-smile on her lips
she knows stuff
like the inevitable penalty shoot-out
regardless of score line.

She loves humor
loves to laugh,
and most times
she laughs twice;
she admits,
'tube-light'.

She knows the textures
and fragrances of love
but gently disavows:
"I don't know and I don't want to know."

So I ask and she says "no"
but in her sweet silly way
trips over the "no" that means "yes"
laughs and reaffirms boundaries.

And we talk of things known
and unknown
bend conversations
into safe houses
and comfortable spaces,
she does not dismiss
and neither does she embrace
"not underserving, but still, 'no'" she says
but she does not know,
this silly girl,
that proximity or distance
metaphorical or literal
no difference makes
for silliness is another word for wisdom
and label means nothing
for one who has abandoned mind
and swears by the heart