His body, long and lean, lounged against the bar.
Smoke smoldered from his lidded eyes
He summoned with his look --
-A piercing sear with unrequited lust.
I understood his gaze.

His legs lent themselves to touch—
Such sinuous, sensational sentinels.
I saw his jeans stretch across them and linger
- Taunt and beckoning.
I understood their yearning.

What chance our encounter?
What coincidence of time and space?
What would I gain -- or loose to run his race?
-To leave my world behind and bend toward his?
I understood the risk to be taken.

The muscles on his chest and arms invite me
Come hither, taste and savor.
Urgency evident in his stare -
- Entreated me to share
I understood the question asked.

Circumstance and happenstance
Conspired to assign our tête-à-tête.
He suggested fate had signed our meeting
and we should take the cue.
I do . . . and leave without him.


By Annette Gagliardi