In for a Penny, in for a Pound

Arrived Paris
on different flights
plans to spend
different nights,
Separate connections
the next day
for one reason
decided to stay,

From Charles de Gaulle
the RER train
early spring
starting to rain,
Noticed each other
both gave a nod
later decided
it was odd,

Hotels booked
on the same block
not too far
we decided to walk,
I had an umbrella
with room for two
you said: “ok
I’ll walk with you,”

Both hotels
three stars displayed
neither of us
had yet paid,
Corner café
glasses of wine
spur of the moment
said: “ok, fine,”

Save a few Euros
share the night
perfect antidote
for a long flight,
Both were of
that certain age
book of life
page after page,

Traded stories
drank more wine
events, locations
our timeline,
Crossed paths
a time or two
Asia, Africa
both had a clue,

Johannesburg
that summer night
Singapore
hold on tight,
Beijing
Shanghai too
when was it
that I met you?

Hotel window
down the rue
bed was small
but it would do,
A minibar
stocked with wine
both of us
feeling fine,

Now we’d made love
a time or two
done the things
couples do,
Walked the beach
collecting shells
tossing pennies
in wishing wells,

Somewhat drunk
certainly tired
our desire for sex
had expired,
Fell to sleep
arm in arm
forgetting to set
an alarm,

Missed our flights
the next day
but it all worked
out ok,
The sex we missed
we quickly found
in for a penny
in for a pound …