distance



he sat on the other side of the couch

as if he were sitting in the kitchen

speaking through four inches of plaster

enunciating his ou's and e's

so that she could hear him clearly

through the barrier.



she listened carefully

as if he spoke Spanish

and she had to slow the words down

even more, in her mind, to understand

the intricacies of translations 

and double meanings with strange sounds.



they completed their transaction solemnly

as if they were manager and customer of a bank

deciding upon difficult matters of balance,

taxation and interest.

they spoke for hours, but said much less

then we might say on the street, having met by chance.



he stood and they shook hands calmly.

she walked him to the door and locked it behind him.

the sound of the bolt locking home,

echoed in the hallway for years.


					Kelly J. Cooper
					5/4/92
					All rights reserved