10 minutes

We met at a Service Station

Somewhere off the M6

She, with London eyes and a Bradford smile

Me, with kitbag and case

Headed for Basic Training, beasting and half-arsed-bonding

She threw me a smile.

A lazy, scented lasso slipped over my heart

And reeled me in

We talked of Mum’s tears

And Dad’s warm, ‘Just in case’ scrunched up notes 

Palmed off between a lengthy hug.

Nodding sisters’ eager to claim bedrooms

Before the front door, slammed shut.

I gave her a lift as far as Watford

Two hours tried on 10 minutes for size

And liked the fit.

In the need to be heard

Neither of us really listened

To what the other said.

Except perhaps the space between words

Where hope, love and luck

Reside

And where possibilities queue

Like children

Showing off at their own birthday party