Brief encounter’s bittersweet end

The evening train was late

and crowded, I’d had a truly stressful day, With an annual

in-depth appraisal That hadn’t gone my way. I stood, my shoulders sagging, The heated carriage made me yawn. The train departed and

I stumbled, I felt weary and forlorn. I thought I must be dreaming As I felt her eyes meet mine. The golden-haired woman

was lovely, A vision quite divine. I looked away, pulling in

my stomach. Surely, she wasn’t looking

at me? I cautiously peeped back, she

was smiling, I wondered how this could be? The years haven’t treated

me kindly, I look and feel a bit of a wreck. I used to resemble Errol Flynn, But now I’m more like Shrek! Yet perhaps she prefers a

mature man, With a wealth of experiences

to share. Youth isn’t all it’s cracked

up to be. I gazed over and tried not

to stare. Then she elegantly rose and

came towards me. I felt the pacemaker in my

chest miss a beat. She touched my arm and

gently whispered: ‘Can I offer you my seat?’ A. Bass, Theydon Bois, Essex.