She sat in front of me.

It was a free

ADULT-ED-LECTURE

on the science of light.

Her Mahogany hair cascaded

over the back of her chair.

I smelled orange blossoms.

Where had she slept last night?

As she settled into her seat

I heard her hair brush against it,

watched the sunlight from the window

spark red and gold flashes of jewels

in her hair

I could not

not

run my fingers through.

She was a stranger,

yet she hummed as my fingers

brushed through the lushness.

The drone of the lecturer faded.

My focus was far away,

the chair back two inches from my knees…

The soft song hum.

The distance growing smaller….

I had to shift in my seat.