It was only after he made her acquaintance
That it occurred to him
Maybe this was beyond the bounds of possibility

Henry saw her each morning
A superior mirage from the future
His hastily scribbled down phone number
Was received with a wry smile, no rebuff

They met at Warwick Street, dusk
The cars still on their homeward drive
And his heart pounding ashamedly

She arrived averting her eyes
But she expectantly walked over to join him
Terrine of Yorkshire gammon
Sweet potato mash
Duck eggs and a smile

Her gaze met his
Their hands lightly brushing
As he reached for the check
Do you remember when life was ecstasy?

The hotel room was bleak
But he hardly noticed as she took control
Her fingers deftly undoing the buttons
On his borrowed shirt

No noise except the buzz of the overhead light
And their breathing
Eyes closed
Dark hair thrown back in wild abandon

She whispered the national anthem
As he sank into her
She tasted of Rémy Martin and Ancient Rome

Hours of frantic lubricious coupling
Render them physically spent
Falling into a deep profound comatose sleep
Only waking days later
When the letter was delivered

Un astronauta en cielo