I noticed the time on her watch, five to three –
the windows drifted off into the forest,
and sun burnt throu their voices into each other –
as she sat in the circle, chanting with the bald guy.

All who witnessed this melting of hearts melted
too, like crumbs of cheese under a grill,
hearts permanently united for an instant.

I knew only that she was a mother of three–
Small, precise, in charity shop clothes,
hair bright black, voluminous in the sun.

When it was our turn to partner, I gazed into her eyes,
bright as marbles, deep as silent pools …
and reflected how hard it is to know
someone who is absolutely open.

31/3/04