Flying High

The airport is packed, and the lines are long,
Reminiscing about the days when standing for hours was nothing when you were young.
A volunteer comes and pulls a few away to go to the next one—
Times like these used to be so much fun.

You finally cross and head to the nearest bench,
Lollygagging on your phone when a voice bellows something in French.
That voice, that tone—your eyes meet the gaze,
Your heart skips a beat, and you look up, amazed.

A chance encounter with an old flame—
The flame you tamed still feels the same.

Smiling broadly, you’re pulled into an embrace,
The smell of his cologne lingers in place.
A surge of memories brings a flush to your face;
You manage to squeak, “What’s the chance of meeting in this place?”

He is returning home to France.
You’re playing in a match of chess in his hometown—no chance of romance.
“The flight is long; let’s get together for old time’s sake.”
Your mind is saying, This could be a mistake.

The torch is still smoldering after nearly forty years.
You think of the last goodbye and the tears.
His hand reaches out to a strand of gray hair.
He winks as you take in the salt and pepper in his hair and try not to stare.

Tomorrow is not promised, but today is.
You link your hand in his; you can be his Miz.
Walking side by side and flying high,
A complete one-eighty, and you sigh.

You feel lighter; the future is brighter,
His hand holding on tighter.
A poem in the making,
Your reasoning is out the window—it’s an awakening.

What was meant to be will be.
You both agree to a degree.
You’re soaring as one and free.
Life comes with no guarantees.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2024



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Date: 12/21/2024 8:37:00 PM
Beautiful! Love is eternal, platonic or not, does not matter.
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Clendening Avatar
Lise Clendening
Date: 12/22/2024 1:43:00 PM
I thank you, Unseeking Seeker! Hugs!
Date: 12/18/2024 10:54:00 AM
Thank you for supporting my Flash Poetry Challenge, Lise. Your poem was randomly chosen to be featured in my 'Results' blog, which is now up and running. You've awakened our senses with this one, Lise. I can hear, see, touch, feel, and even smell (cologne) this chance encounter that was forty years in the making. I especially love how you ramp up the rhymes and tempo in the last two stanzas to match the increasing intensity of your subject's emotions. She is "Flying High" in this one. ;-)
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Clendening Avatar
Lise Clendening
Date: 12/18/2024 1:32:00 PM
Thank you for your comment. I’m glad the emotions came through. Also, thank you for doing the Flash Poetry Challenge. Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
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