TWO ROMANTIC SCENES

 

                                   I

 

    Mist fell from the pines

       moved in gossamer curtains of mystery

          glowed with the dim light of a fog shrouded moon...

 

    Ancient lamps

         Along the carriage way

    Made lonely puddles of half-light

    A dew damp lawn

         Separates path from road

    Flagstones and cobbles glint

    In the moist night air.

 

    She is there

    To see.

    Her hand

    In his,

    Together,

    Thrust deep into a pocket

    Of his overcoat.

    Her hair

    Wrapped in a scarf,

    Her heart

    Wrapped in his.

 

         A hound sounds in the distance

    The shadows deepen under thickening pines

    Bullfrogs croak

       only to be silenced

       by the sound of their footfalls

 

    She drifted

       in and out of her body

       sometimes knowing, sometimes unknowing

    Interior

       she felt the chill on her cheek

          balanced

       by the warmth of his hand

    Exterior

       she floated among the pines

          danced on the lamp posts

       watching the two of them together

    Feeling

            their being-nesses, separate, distinct, yet merging

            the is-ness of herself

            in communication)

       with the being

             that is he

                   in comm

                   in calm  . . .

 

    "What a beautiful couple we are!"

 

                                  II

 

    The movie lets out

    We stumble out

       into sidewalks and city scenes

    Midnight in Hollywood

 

    Exploding with expletives

    On the film's incredible quality

    We slip into the taxi's backseat

       limbs entwined

 

    The Italian restaurant

       Dimly lit

          a table for two

             candle smoke, stale perfume and garlic

                weave a tapestry of scent

       We sit so close

       Her hair brushes my cheek

          on the air conditioned breeze

 

       Feeling

       Powerful

       And free

       I watch

       Exteriorly

       We

       From across the room

          I kiss her hand

          and dump my wine glass into the pizza

       She laughs

          and I know it's alright

 

       "We are a beautiful couple!"

 

                                      3 Dec 77