Breath of a Woman

                     10-7-24
On an unnamed plane and moving slow 
Nothing behind, certainly nothing below 
I sit pretending I’m in a trance 
To tired to make a wholesome stance

Questioning what she would be thinking
Her heart figured to be sinking
Eyes that green tell a forgotten story
Of faded love an’ faded glory

Of what I dropped; she picked up 
Sat it quietly, and looking up
Sent a smile as warm as the sun
That lit her face, and my spirit won

Then a feeling quite rare, rare indeed 
Of a woman like her alone, in need
I take my seat and lean her way
Hoping her breathe not go away

My peripheral vision, blurry at best
I pretend I’m tired, needing some rest 
My eyes as snakes, intent as seething 
Can read the face of shallow breathing

Crossing her legs, she holds back intent
Her age, who knows, not a hint was sent
Looking at her at the time she looks out
She’s quiet and soothing, warm, no doubt 

Coming or going or running away
What am I thinking, shutting my tray
She belongs to someone, truth be told
On a warm plane I’m left out in the cold

This flight could go forever, never touch down 
To the four corners, or go round and round 
Destination is here, no need to go on
I’ll sit here quietly or die in the sun

My mouth quivers, trying to get out a word
If I said anything the cause it not cured 
I fumble my drink, wishing now I ordered beer
To calm the nerves, to let it out of gear

Hardly noticed the descent and touching ground
To notice her movements, my mouth no sound
Standing as the rest and gathering my things
The sun touched her chest, and all her rings

Unimaginable she spoke, asking for a favor
To help with her bags, that moment I savor
Letting her out, probably my plan all along
Like I wrote the script, nothing is wrong

To admit I followed her yet staying so close
Occasionally bumping her I’m breathing the most
For that way that she swayed in my mind was burned
Who knows and who cares, of what is it their concern

In the moment it seemed like the right thing to do 
Tucking my hand between her arm, nothing new
I caught her whence when my hand went astray 
Done it so often, a habit, then went on our way

Back to our car, the ride took us back to our place 
A kiss on her lips signaled my love, just in case
‘Cause though tired from the travel, we lay for some rest 
All those thoughts of mystery still say, she is the best

The decades change everything, on a wing and a prayer 
Yet nothing has left us, of things we don’t care
It only digs deeper, holds tighter, touches her needs
The desire to see her and hold her, the fire it feeds