You came into my shop today.
The ancient bell tinged to say
"Someone is actually here!"
The winter blast that changed the air
Emphasized a presence there
In elegant hat and fur coat.
I looked up from my machine,
Hoping not to appear too keen
To the person standing where
Patent gloves were coming off
With minute tugs to reveal soft,
Slender, alabaster hands.
Although I wanted to say more
To the vision by the door,
I managed a tight "Hello."
A flash of eyes acknowledged me
As you wandered over to see
The tie rack, on the left.
I tried my best not to stare,
And glad you seemed so unaware
Of my secretive attentions.
In another lifetime, I could swear
It was my Jenny standing there
In graceful radiance.
She was tall and charming, too.
Through the years, she raised our two
Children to independence.
That was somewhere back in time.
When she died, it was Valentines,
Like today. When you walked in
The whole shop became a little brighter.
Even the suits hung a little righter
As you brushed their sleeves.
cont'd .. |
The shirts all stood in line
While you slowly took your time
Persisting in your quest.
Each tie you fingered had a thrill.
Just watching you, I felt a chill
Tingle up my aged spine.
At last, the decision made,
The chosen one was laid
Upon the counter to be boxed.
Not a word was ever spoken.
Ringed fingers had broken
Open the matching patent purse
To find the sufficient funds
To match the register's sums.
The only other place I'd seen
Such perfect eyes of green
Was in my Jenny's face.
I really tried my best to hide
The misery I felt inside,
While the wrapping was completed.
No change was asked for in return,
Although my eyebrows tried to learn
The tie's eventual fate.
The bell tinged once, almost a toll,
That went on and on and on until
The only sound was the ticking clock.
The suits and shirts and ties and I
All seemed to sag again and sigh,
And stare at the icy door,
With hopeless naive wonder
If perchance you may wander
Into my shop again someday.
© J. Graham Ducker |