Some Enchanted Evening

He stood waiting
outside the temple,
One rainy evening
Hair dripping water that ran
down the sides of his face.
Tremulous smile, and
One opened umbrella.
It was magic.
We walked in the dusk
Shoulders touching,
not touching
Intricate dance of footsteps
Water ballet in the rain.
Breathless, defiant - what if
someone should see?
The rain is falling too hard,
came the reply.
It was dark,
and the rain fell in torrents.
It was magic.
The scent of his nearness
clouded my judgement,
Musk and cinnamon.
Sanctuary! when he put
his arm around me.
Shelter from the storm beneath
a benevolent black wing.
Heat beside me, around me
Cold wet feet, and wet,
The pallu of my sari,
Uncaring.
The temple flowers fell
from my hair, and I knew not.
It was magic.
Under the dim glow
of the streetlamp, he turned
With one trembling finger,
touched my cheek
Enchantment
has many faces.
I closed my eyes
and waited
for the kiss that never came.
It was time to go
I left
My place of belonging
I left him,
standing at the gate
in the rain,
And turned to go home.