No Broken Hearts Allowed Poem by Alfred Ramos

(co-written with Caryn Hull)

He:
We were both on a subway train to nowhere
I got up to offer her my chair
I had just left a therapeutic session
Juggling the recession, trying to justify my depression

She:
Late from work, tired and harried,
loads of work in my arms I carried.
It was kind of this stranger to give me his seat;
usually sandwiched in the aisle, this was a treat!

He:
An exquisite aroma made my senses come alive
I believe it was Chanel # 5
Although I have never been accused of being astute
I was suddenly aroused by an urge I cannot refute

She:
Something in the look of his eyes made me pause;
a kindly look that gave me no cause
to be disturbed at the way he returned my gaze.
Hmmm....maybe I should say hello one of these days.

He:
I couldn’t help but notice her heavy load
I wanted to speak, my tongue ready to explode
But I needed the right words to make my entrance
Yet not wanting to show signs of aberrance

She:
Feeling my face turning red as a beet
I felt stupid not thanking him for the seat.
So I turned to open my mouth and speak
but all that came out was a mouse-like squeak

He:
Was I reading her mind, or just our thoughts colliding?
I felt defenseless, my manhood un-abiding
Our eyes met and no words were needed
Just then the train slowed, the next stop heeded

She:
Usually happy to reach my stop
I couldn't help but feel my heart dropp
as the train jerked and stuttered to a halt
I should have said hello, my only thought

He:
She smiled meekly and left her seat
My heart sank in frantic defeat
Quickly she was lost in the rush hour crowd
I didn’t see the sign, “No broken hearts allowed”