Standing in Line

Standing in Line

After an extremely
Long day,
I stopped
By the grocery store
To manage
A few last minute
Items.

My shopping done,
I was
Standing
In line,

And a woman
I've known
For years
Was pulled up
In line
Behind me.

I said, "Hello,"
And somewhat
Startled
She said, "Hello,"
Back,

And she added,
"You look good."

"Thank you,"
I returned,
"You too."

"I mean,
You really
Do
Look good,"
She added.

I offered,
"I'm a gardening
Fool."

She shuffled
Just slightly,
Pushed
At her hair
And smiled
As if she had
Just dropped
Her dress
To the floor,

Wrapped
Her legs
Around my head,

And lit a cigarette
As she pushed
My face
Into her smouldering
Essence.

I think
We had
An affair
Right there
On the conveyor
Belt.

I smiled;
Her lips parted
As she seemed
To push
Her imaginary
Cancer stick
Into the palm
Of her hand,
Heat down,
With the flash
Of her eyes.

Modern life
Has become
A heated discussion
And a disagreement
To agree.

I'm glad to know
Surprise
Has not gone away.