Two Women

Their intimacy is gloved, moments dovetail in a tea-room. I color-in implied gestures, listen to the ambience of undertones. They enter a confessional space lips linger over shared visions, oracles only they can read. Lipstick on China cups, the twirled edge of a napkin, the unclasped mouth of a purse; pieces arranged on a white tablecloth of magnetic intimations. They are both attractive yet in different ways, together they impart a comforting confidentiality; bring to this small space a delicate allurement. I sense a wry tilt into humor, a deeper conversation surfaces as they settle the bill. Leaving the warmth of the tea house they kiss but only lightly upon cheeks, no flamboyance, yet the inferred diffidence is far more telling. One of them seems to carry the other's onus of care sheltering her body from the cold. I have a brief impulse to follow, to stay awhile in their mutual life raft. These observations I record here, are moments to be contemplated only later with closed eyes.