Lightning

The thing about electricity…
Lightning…
Is that it has you before you know it.
You only know it is too late.

Over the course of my work week
I must pass through the gym several times per day.
Who knows how I carry the cares of the world?
A friendly, cheerful disposition if I remember-
But the poet’s escape into other dimensions
Is all too easy.
I’m seldom where I appear.

One special, remarkable lady is just taking care of herself.
How wonderful to keep healthy.

Out of nowhere, into my world comes this cheerful “Hello.”
I’m almost past and through the door-
Looking back, “Hi,”
I’m gone, and thank goodness I didn’t hit anything.

Four- three- two- one-
Hey, that was…nice.
Nice?

I think I need a drink of water.
The water fountain is right handy…
Out in the gym.

Three- two- one- composed-
Back out into the gym I find
A ghost town.
The wind no longer in my sails,
The air leaves my lungs.
Everybody’s gone, and that was so fast.
At least I’m free to return to the poet’s dimensions-
Including wistful longing and dreams
That dissipate like morning mist.

I can’t imagine what witnesses might have seen.
I get my drink of water,
Needed it more than I knew.

So I turn to head back into my real world
But I find…
Lightning!

That smile floors me…
So alive.
“Looking for me?”
Zero composure-
It is too late.
Toast.

John H. Bidwell