In a Glance

It happened upon a mid-day stroll
As he broke is gaze with the cracks in the sidewalk
The glimmer of sunlight off her auburn hair
As if demanding his attention
Thick frame holding shaded lenses
Reflecting a fresh bouquet  
She outshined them with ease
Only then to be upstaged by her smile
One that could stop a falling star in its tracks
He broke stride to the dismay of passersby
Frozen in the midst of this busy city crowd
That’s where is all began
 
It had been a long day
Eyes heavy and body weary
Though he found comfort in the familiar sight
The warped wooden steps aged by rain and footsteps
Leading to a porch lined by a weathered white rail
Through the front door littered with peeling green paint
He trudges into the next room  
Following the faint sounds mischievous children
Sunlight pouring in from the south wall window
Fatigued from its 90 million mile journey
Came to rest on that perfect auburn mane
Still dressed to corporately impress
She lay as a crumpled heap in a chaise lounge
Unaware of how perfect she is in that moment of disarray
She manages an exhausted smile
That to this day stops him mid-step
And reminds him that he’s home
 
A forceful nudge of a stranger’s shoulder
He’s come back down to earth again
To find her lenses pointed in his direction
His eyes dart downward as his feet resume pace
A flash of anxious panic
And a dream unrealized