Arrivals and Departures

At any moment
Turn a corner
Open your eyes
Switch on a light
He’s here
You recognize him
Coming to you without greeting
A pause at the bottom of the stairs
Or spot him from the top
Open a door
Breath catches some
Then come to him
As he comes to you
A bit of a surprise
The timing
But you two have always
Been magnetized
The pull as strong now
As it has been growing
And you do know this
Have been expecting him
Not frightened
Aware
Maybe should have baked a cake
In anticipation of his arrival
Although there’s no time to eat
Ashes and dust
The taste in your mouth