after Wisława Szymborska

I prefer smooth to crunchy
I prefer a well earned singular compliment to a thick slather of praise

I prefer people who wear their bike helmets into the supermarket, especially with a straight face
I prefer introverts
I prefer an outward display of emotion

I prefer to notice and to scribble than to let a moment fly past
I prefer to believe in unseen things when I don’t have all the facts
I prefer to be alone sometimes but not with my phone

I prefer mountains, although I don’t know why we have to choose
I prefer my voice to be shaking than my tongue to be bitten

I prefer the fear of not knowing to the tried and tested
I prefer sex before dinner
I prefer to avoid clichés, even when they fit the bill

I prefer being called a bubble to a household
I prefer to know that time does not have to be rushed
I prefer when everybody slows down

But. I prefer people without masks on and close enough that I can smell their perfume
I prefer when we could hitchhike and wander around bookshops

I prefer to be by water
I prefer to swim naked
I prefer talking about books to movies
I prefer eye contact and low voices
I prefer an open ending