ARRIVALS

I know a place where love lingers

Long after everyone is gone.

Stand among people gathered there

And immerse yourself in essence of love.

Oh, this place doesn’t always smell delightful!

Not everyone has the time

Or the courtesy to shower prior to scurrying in.

You may suffer a woosh of armpit juice

Mingling among that wonderful fug of love.

But rise above!

Find the wonder, weave among the crowd.

Cosy into the comfort of someone’s laundry detergent,

Experience a twinkle of Miss Dior, a swoon of Shalimar

Or a rush of Aromatics Elixir.

Then stand back,

Enjoy the invertebrate wriggling of impatient children,

The waggling of accepting dogs.

Listen to the chatter, to the anticipation.

Tune into so many sounds of love!

You could find amusement in certain unfortunate sartorial choices,

Or ponder Piero Paccione line of business as he strides through the sliding doors in full suited swagger, dark eyes locking onto the sign featuring his name.

Then you might gasp unexpectedly,

Winded as an old flame caresses your mind,

A memory roused by the lingering kiss of a love-starved couple.

Shake it off!

Zoom out,

Back to bubble-light emotions as drunk-gaited toddlers

Fold into enchanted grandparents,

As adolescents awaiting friends gambol like puppies,

And golden-aged girlfriends slow-dance with giddy delight.

Yes, there is baggage there, lots of it, because such is life.

But how irresistible is that love-fug

Suspended in the arrivals lounge of an airport?

My poetry book, ILLICIT CROISSANTS AT DAWN, will be available towards the end of April.