LIFE ON THE HIGH TRAPEZE


A swinging relationship;
years spent together and apart,
their life like breathing –
in and out,
to and fro.

All she knows of him
are his chalked hands,
reached down to catch her;
black wristbands bearing his scent,
male and strong.

All he knows of her
is her distant sparkly loveliness,
the sequined spotlight hovering
across yawning, protected space
while he does the maths, the timing
of their poised encounter.

They trust in her body – arcing under
like leaping dolphin symmetry –
and his judgement, his hands.

Each day the show;
weeks come and go.
She notices his palms more lined,
her tights more wrinkly…

All she ever wonders is
when will they share
the first fag of the day,
enjoying the intimate still point
of that early morning cough?