AND THEN WE MET

Our native tongues cast aside for clarity of speech, of thought, of diction.

Tender moments of shared joys and impulses, achievements and disappointments

brought our understanding of love and nature to a sibling understanding.

The days passed as did the seasons. Rarely a week went by without our commitments

to the black keyboard, drumming out our deepest thoughts until the thought of bringing minds and presence together materialised.

The plane touched down with the sea and islands fading from view.

The sun blessed the runway. Can this be Scotland?

I stand like a boulder in the stream, letting passengers pass me by

as I stare into their eyes.

Could they all be coming from Amsterdam?

A wide smile approaches with Belgian charm.

It’s Joris. I shake his hand warmly, welcoming him to our shores.

I turn to Hannie. The real Hannie. My electronic Hannie, no more!

My emotions take over. We embrace. We kiss.

At last, we’ve met.