viscid oriole
He remembers the meeting
slight bow, hand extended
slender fingers interlocked.
A silent contract blended.
An engine started
Then as time took it's morning
stroll and drank sips of water
Little by little the two of them
Held fast in understanding.
The wheel turned.
Yet, her face almost forgotten
and voice a muffled memory
he calmed himself
for the moment's reverie
The blackened skidding, screamed
Then the door flung open
her locks of hair near his knee.
He gripped her hand
and tried to pull her up
There was a massive splash beneath
"I'm not giving up"
"Let me go"
"No!"
His hand gripped her tighter.
Legs joined in the heaving
eventually her small body
landed next to him.
Back to tar, back on tar.
He stared at her body.
Panting. Breathing.
And in a moment held her hand again
to check
Whether their silent understanding
still meant anything.
rancid slate
