“Passion is clearly the path
but does not bring us to love.”
–Jack Gilbert
it was inevitable
his slow plodding gait
awkward and ill-timed
arms akimbo swatting flies
too focused by distractions
to notice her before him
her large brown eyes luminous
as her graceful neck turned
towards him startled
all became still
transcendent
he felt she could see
through to his heart
then he made a move
another step down the path
three whispered words
and as he feared
she fled
leapt diagonally
vanishing into the brush
lucky to know what he saw
the momentary stillness
the departing flash between trees
rueful with love
he stared through the leaves
at the emptiness
where she was
(December 2012)
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