Tea In the Afternoon

On a late afternoon There was stillness In the air On a quiet street Of honest homes Tired and hungry He walked into the store. She was behind the counter Books in front of her A university’s name Embossed in bold letters A page open A pen put aside. He quietly searched the menu Nearby, on the floor Was a little girl Crayons in hand Worn coloring book open Imagination busy As only a child could be. They spoke As she made fresh tea Sweet aroma filled the air Poured in delicate china Fragile Yet surprisingly strong And the light Played angels on her jet black hair. Staring into her eyes He found himself Traveling a road That led to her soul There was something in the way she moved That took his breath away A sensuous grace And a smile As warm as the sun. He spoke first She answered And then they talked About everything As if they knew each other From a place A long time ago She asked where he came from He told her where he was going Words and images Transporting them Beyond this tiny place. He was the restless kind Always on the move Knowing that he would leave They exchanged goodbyes She touched his hand With a caress That left an indelible mark In his heart. Perhaps they barely Spent a few moments together Never to see each other again But now and then he thinks of her And her little girl Wondering what ever happened To them Because he never really forgot That tender afternoon And tea with a stranger.