The Gift
The door swung open and the man stepped in
The soft bell tinkled, and she raised her chin
Her mouth fell open, and her eyes went wide
Impossible, the surprise to hide
'Hello, Harriet, it's been a while.'
The words delivered with a friendly smile 'Aaron!
My goodness me!'
She came from her desk, the better to see
and they shared a hug, as old friends do;
old memories resurfacing anew
'Why are you here? What brings you to town?'
She led him to a chair and they both sat down
'Just something I once promised myself I'd do.
Colour dappled her cheeks, she remembered - she knew
You appear to have really done well,' he said, looking around.
'Seems the dream you were after, you finally found.'
From his bag came a package. 'Thought you might fancy.'
'It's a book,' she said.
He smiled. 'And I hope not too chancy.'
Harriet opened the wrapping, slightly, her fingers shook
Elizabeth Barrett Browning, from Aurora Leigh, First Book
Her eyes turned moist, she gave the cover a stroke
And for a while in the library, neither spoke
"Aaron, I really don't know what to say.'
She caressed the book in a coveted way
'Say you'll let me treat you to dinner, for old time's sake.
I promise it's not for some story,
just the two of us,
some bread to break . . . together.'