Love in the Afternoon

The scene: Thursday afternoon at a swank store in the city

I enter the store with eyes searching and spy her immediately   

She stands motionless; her mouth adorned with a slight smile

Eyes of ocean blue staring blankly past me and beyond

Lips as dark red as spring cherries on the vine

I walk toward her but she ignores me as I approach

I note that her hair is silver blond

Strange, yesterday I could swear it was auburn with light streaks

Her stance is posed as if trying to impress

She is immaculately dressed

Silk blouse with a coordinated cashmere skirt

Spiked heels shaping her legs to perfection

I try to seem uninterested as I draw ever closer

Knowing that a lady of her stature might well be offended

My pulse quickens as I stop immediately in front of her

I turn and clear my throat to speak

It is then that I notice the sadness in her eyes

Words are frozen in my throat

Obviously this is not the day to introduce myself

This is the third day this week that I have seen her here

And I fear that tomorrow could be too late

But then again one must not rush the path to romance

So I decide that I will return the next afternoon in hopes of finding her here

Maybe then her eyes will send a more favorable message

And I can find the courage to express my love

I depart with anticipation of the day to follow

The store darkens as lights are turned off for the night

Doors are locked and the night watchmen begins his rounds

He sees the figure a few aisles away and hastens to investigate

A lovely figure with eyes of ocean blue and hair of silver blond

As he approaches he smiles and softly chuckles

It’s just that lovely mannequin again, she fools me every time.

©Copyright Charlie Gragg 2009