Loitering With Intent Poem by NAYYAR SHABBIR AHMAD

The other day, completely out of the blue I received a phone call from an old beau

He had walked out on me, a few years previously. And, although I was still annoyed with him - I felt curiously buoyed.
Because, despite his hectic itinerary, I still, obviously merited his attention

He proceeded to engage me in an hour long `in-depth’ discussion on the leading subject of the good old days. He missed them. He insisted. I. against my better judgment began to feel nostalgic, as well. And, that - even though he frequently conjured up such rosy pictures of our time together that I didn’t feel. exactly matched my own conjectures


When we had exhausted every conceivable conversation
he began to falter. Then, he started to generalize about the weather. Fortunately, my antenna caught the mood - And, I came swiftly down to earth as I became suspicious.
He wasn’t leading me on to - anything - as my `run-away’ imagination was imagining. Far from it.

“Eventually, I said “Are you by any chance loitering? ”
“Pardon? ” “Don’t you have a home to go to? ””Well...” he drawled, playing for time.”Don’t keep your beautiful wife, waiting” I reminded. That’s when he came out with it: “If I get home too early, I’ll only have to help put the kids to bed.””And, you don’t enjoy, it? ” I inquired unnecessarily. “Ofcourse not! ” he bellowed. “You, know me.” “Do I? ” I wondered, out loud. “Anyway, ” he assured, “I’d rather talk to you.” Being polite, I thanked him profusely, then, found some excuse to ring off.

Now, whenever I see his wife I hide a snigger when I remember her telling me - very earnestly - how absolutely perfect her husband was: So considerate; So charming; So caring; a real Angel; Always there when he was needed; And, ever so keen to lend a helping hand...My! My! That’s who she refers to as her Knight in shining armour

Sound familiar?
For sure. Everyone, has just such a shirker in
their midst - only, they don’t know it.