Under The Streetlight

Serene is the scene as the winter sets in,

Shortened are the days and longer the nights.

The cool winter breeze carries along snowflakes,

Each flake perfected beautifully by the creator.

As the clock across the street square struck twelve,

The city and its dwellers torpor to their warm beds,

“The Swingers” by 6^th street came to life with fiery snare.

Jolly good people thronged the nightclub, making merry,

Some alone, some with friends and few seeking friends.

And there she stood, under the streetlight,

So perfectly made, as that of a snowflake.

Skin muted like the color of peaches and cream,

Lips so luscious, curved like an archer’s bow,

Hair so black, like that of a knight’s shiny armor.

And there she stood, under the streetlight,

Eyes so green, like that of olives after spring,

A blue dress, barely covering the length of her legs,

A flowery scarf wrapped around her shoulders,

Unaware of lecherous eyes devouring her beauty.

And there she stood, under the streetlight,

Balancing on high heels, so vulnerable she looked,

Like a bait for a hungry predator ready to cram down.

With a distant look in her eyes, she craned her long neck,

Scanning the night crawlers, searching a known face. 

And there she stood, under the streetlight,

He approached her stealthily through the shadows,

Touching her gently through the folds of her blouse,

Taken unaware by the touch, she turned to his face, 

Straining a smile like that of an eccedentesiast.

Down the alley and up they went, through a flight of stairs,

Unlocking the door to a dimly lit room with a single bed.

She closed the door behind, and he stepped out after an hour,

Tightening his cashmere scarf and rushing down the stairs,

Without a glance back, mingling amongst the night crawlers.

She stepped out of the room, pocketing crumpled currency,

Locking the door behind, wrapping herself with the scarf.

She ran, down the stairs, down the alley, away from the crowd.

She ran, ran through the eerie shadows cast by streetlights.

And there she stood, under the streetlight,

Catching her breath, she walked furtively up the porch,

And without any haste she let herself in through the door,

Smiling at the sight of her five-year-old deep in sleep,

She snuggled beside him, falling into a restful slumber.