Commuter Love Affair

He drives to work on auto-pilot
Same old same old every day
Sip the coffee, hear the music
Think on how to fight the dragon.

The metered on-ramp…which lane’s faster?
Join the line of waiting cattle.
Left lane moves, right lane moves,
Left lane moves, right lane moves.

Different faces every morning,
Men with cell phones are doing business
Women touching up their makeup
Seen today, tomorrow forgotten.

This day as he cues in traffic
A red car zips in place behind him
A glance into his rearview mirror
And time is frozen for that instant.

Young girl, red lips, red dress
Fair skinned, freckled, auburn haired
Ringless finger grips the steering wheel
All this captured in an instant.

She looks up and sees him watching.
Their eyes meet for half a moment
She blushes, looking downwards, nervous
Then looks up, smiling shyly.

Now the look is slightly bolder
Head is tilted, smile is wider
Lips are licked as she seems thoughtful
Looking back in bold enticement.

Twenty cars lined up in each lane
Forty cycles of the meter
Left lane moves, right lane moves,
Left lane moves, right lane moves.

Now his mind’s in full fledged fancy
How they’d meet and know each other
First time date, first shy kisses
Later caresses, then hot passion.

He’s mature, experienced, gentle.
She is young, demure and frightened.
They meet in secret times and places
Her family could never accept such a union.

Bodies join in mutual needing
Exploring and feeling, touching and tasting
Meeting at midnight, parting near dawn
Vowing each will be the last time.

Guilt and sorrow, regrets and reunions
Then come tears and recriminations
Angry words and hurried meetings
Then she walks away, to another.

Left lane moves, right lane moves,
Left lane moves, right lane moves.
Next in line to join the freeway
One last glance…then gone forever