Husband And Wife Poem by H E Alexander

Across the room, a look of recognition cast
from eye to eye. The smile, slightly familiar;
a previous time met in some not so distant past,
yet something sensed beyond the obvious allure.
Approaching, each one avoiding contact with the eye
till shoulder met shoulder, then an evanescent side glance
shared between two. Feelings so hard to identify:
whether or not there's maybe just a hint of romance?
Apart, the duo held private reflections within,
neither free to pursue a romantic pursuit;
both life-bound to lovers, hence no honour therein
to allow thoughts of a relationship take root.

Still, another time, a different place there met,
talk of mundane affairs, yet their plight plain to each.
She, mulling if she was being too much a coquette,
he, curious if reading right her unsaid speech.
But, distance grew between these renewed acquaintances:
that fleeting moment when to speak of the truths not told
had now past, and any change of circumstances,
or detour from their fated path, would not now unfold.
Returning then, both to their more familiar life,
each consigning the other to a sometimes thought.
Happy to remain faithfully, husband and wife,
but to their own true loves, not a sometime consort.