They met at the foyer
leading to the auditorium,
before a lecture.
(A gentleman was about to talk
on the fracture defects.) 

        Her first week as a transfer student 
        at Cornel was passing well.
        He was enjoying her company, 
        first just as a source of fantasy 
        and then something mistaken and elusive.

They met after fifteen years
at a shopping complex, in Ithaca!

She was with her Indian boyfriend,
whom he knew from school.
They had a round of beer, and then parted.
 
       Now he wonders why she would
       always take him to buy Patchouli,
       Silk Kurta and Herbal mixtures…
       (whenever he showed interest
       for Hollywood movies and rock concerts.)