i knew a woman

i knew a woman/but hardly at all

on a beach near the border/(all beaches are near the border)/she came walking out of the setting sun/and asked me if I had a cigarette

when i said “Sorry, I don’t smoke.” she said “Good.” and i felt as if i had passed a test

her direct and honest eyes looked deeply into mine/and shyness brought me the impulse to flinch/but regardless of whether this was another test or not/the best thing to do was relax/exhale/look right at her/and see what happened

what happened: i saw her/she sought amusement without mockery/adventure with purpose/as did i

and alas i also saw she was married/though she wore no ring

and seeing my dismay she broke our gaze

and softly she said, “Young man, your time will come.” and she turned/and walked back into the sun

thirty-nine years later, i wonder…

did it?

will it?