The Tube Ride

Just another autumn day

All tube rides and deadlines

Dreams and disappointments

***

The train carriage is half empty

Like a table set for one

Or my unmade, bitter bed

***

There’s a man sitting opposite me, so handsome

I catch my breath

***

I can tell from his perfectly knotted tie, he is reliable and kind

Softly spoken

Italian silk is not for raised voices

He favours expensive navy tweed, the colour of loyalty

The owner of such a fine suit would never deceive

***

He stands upright amidst lumpen men

The posture of a man with a second home

A cottage in the woods?

But the tan

It’s a seaside villa

For I like the coast

***

Expensive thin steel rimmed glasses

An architect

Or a novelist

The kind that wins awards

And has savings

Despite old family money

***

He slowly touches his hair

Caressing with such care

A gentle lover

Tender, even when making the bed

He pulls the sheet corners tightly

And stacks the dishwasher with precision and glee

***

Look at me, I plead

I am ready to be loved and desired

To be kissed on Parisian bridges by moonlight

To choose blush peonies for the reception

And walk our dog, and rock our baby

***

I clear my throat, twice

***

Finally, he looks up

It’s love at first sight

Well -

It is for me

***