The Man On The Porch

them
it has yet to be determined
which of them is the cat
and which one is the mouse
it feels a lot like a game
 
him
he lives in the house
across the street
from the community swimming pool
 
she
goes to the pool religiously
never to see him
but to do her laps and exercise
 
he
makes his presence known
seems to know her schedule
here comes the man on the porch
 
 
he  
always seems to be finding some reason
to stay out like walking his dog
sometimes mowing the lawn
 
she
tries not to stare at the front door
when he's indoors
but she's caught him staring at her
 
they
have spoken to each other
but only twice him first and her later
it was their only verbal communication
 
they  
are keeping their distance
pandemically speaking of course
admiring each other from a distance
 
his  
car is parked near her own
the romantic side of her
half expects to find a handwritten note
under a wiper blade that says "let's hang out sometime" but she dismisses
it as a silly thought
 
she
is amused watching  the man on the porch come and go
her thoughts turn dark thinking he
could be a stalker or some crazy man
but then perhaps he only loves fresh air
 
and
nothing more