There
had been a moment
when
our fingers touched
as
I handed you the plastic cup
of
cola from the sticky table
by
the wall bars in the gym,
and
then
just
for a moment
you
saw me
as
you thanked me.
We
swayed side by side
as
others talked
relaxing
in a subtle gravity
that
held us now
each
in the other's orbit.
I
could not look at you again
but
my cheek bones knew then
and
grew warm
at
the thought of you.
And
you had chosen
my
finger
and
led me through
to
the dance floor.
There
had been a moment
as
we danced
when
you
had curled yours
one
by one
around
mine
and
my other hand
had
found your waist
and
my clumsy toes
your
toes.
And
you were there
my
nose to your hair
my
lips to your ear
my
arms full of you
as
the pale last song
smoothed
the evening to its silken end -
how
not in love,
oh
no,
the
singer was.
I
talked you home
along
the December High Street to The Manse
and
we stopped
by
the bookshop
because
you loved to read
and
I told you that I did too,
and
maybe there
was
something here
displayed
which
might have stayed us
out this evening just a moment longer.
As
if for reassurance
when
we resumed our walk
you
lightly linked your hand
around
my arm
so
that as I lifted mine
towards
my heart
I
might fix you there.
But
at your front door
you
turned to face me
in
the first of our goodbyes
and
at last you met my eyes
and
curled into me that
our
supple mouths might touch
and with tongue tips
taste
each other's
teeth.
You
drew
the breath from my lungs
fanned
the furnace flames
of
my desire
and
forged
then
these binding chains
link
by
golden link.
