Only The Lonely

A little overweight, but who of us past
middle-age isn't? and few carry it as
lightly as she does. Facial features
somewhat awry from cleft palate
surgery that doesn't impede her smile
much less her capacity to charm. Her
ardent need to ventilate obvious yet
not onerous, there is no obligation
other than a civilized recognition of
emotional need. This woman is also
disarmingly aware of receptivity, she
is a someone; not seeking the social
charity of the kindness of strangers
and nor is she bereft of the manners
of one who knows that we each of us
carry our own burdens. Lightening
her load despite the brevity of the
encounter comes with no conditions.
She deftly shields herself from pity
knows how to dress and carry herself.
Elegant and showy, she has presence
a striking woman of considerable
assets. Twice yearly we stop briefly
at the flea market to peruse the aisles
of trivia. A few warm minutes of
friendly chatter to resume an old
erratic conversation, renewing the
casual friendship of someone who
speaks of her intimate life, the details
imparted over the course of years
as though intervening months are
utterly irrelevant to the ebb and flow 
of a life in graduated conversation.