A kiss out of kindness

a kiss out of kindness
              red lips and a red coat
and a blue sky
              and green leaves
and a long walk
              at a healthy pace
and a breathless arrival
              sweetness and light
the fingers are short
              the nails trim
and with the markings
              that belie her age
the eyes are sandy brown
              and they dart
from side to side
              restless and enquiring

and a kiss out of kindness
              and the river flows
and the swans ride it
              and the ducks
come and go as if
              owning the place
and the wind lifts her hair
              and she talks a good talk
says that roses are elegant
              but violets are true
that she will light a candle
              so that our love will prosper
and the ivy clings
              to the old college walls
and he holds her hand tightly
              pressing the warm flesh
and she smiles at the shadows
              and lowers her voice
makes the train feel at home
              and says love be not shy
love be ever so bold
              and the streets hear her coming
her heels on the stones
              there are two on the table
and dust on the floor
              they could make love forever
and always want more

John Lyons