I saw them, together, on the bench, as I walked by
It was the first sunny afternoon of the year
Too early to be called spring
Yet it felt like spring
The sun shone brightly and warmed the earth below
And her hair, the color of a ginger ale, reflected the light
And her skin, pale as winter, lay unprotected, soaking the warmth
She was lying down on the bench, sunglasses on, ponytail lapping over the side
Sleeping, or resting, at his side
He sat beside her on the bench, reading a book
His elbow perched on the armrest, one hand cupping the side of his head
Overflowing with dark brown hair,
His other hand rested lightly on her hip
As she lounged beside him
He seemed engrossed in his book, or was he?
Was he pretending to read intently, all the while focused on the pulsating warmth of the hip beneath his palm?
I saw them as I passed by, rushing by, not merely wishing to keep my stride on this first warm day of the sun, but also out of a pang of regret, seeing young lovers side by side on the bench, where you and I might have laid, together, reading and resting, together
As I passed by with hurried steps, I turned to look at them, together, enjoying a quiet hour together, and I thought, will they stay there all afternoon?
Or leave, together, to hide away from the sun in a darkened room,
To make love, all afternoon, before the low winter sun dips beneath the horizon to bring on the night,
And all its stars?
As I passed by with my quickening walk,
I thought,
That is what I would do,
If I were she,
Stretched out by his side,
In the first warm, sunny afternoon of the year
That is what I would do,
If I were she,
And you were still beside me.
