Ancient Soul

You laughed easily,
as if we had
laughed together
before. You,
so relaxed,
extolling the virtues
of raw Chianti
with grape seed
resplendency in the

bottom of the glass,
and me, toying with
an oaky Chardonnay,
drinking in every
nuance of your spirit;
smiling for what
felt like the first time.

 

In the light of
a single candle,
an ancient soul
reflected in your
warm, brown eyes.
How many lifetimes,
I wondered,
of wandering,
seeking,
aching and yes,
from time to time,
loving,
did it take for such
wisdom and compassion
to be borne within
your current incarnation.

 

“Yes, I’ll have another
glass of Chianti”
you instructed the waiter.
“And for the lady…”
I only smiled, shaking my head.

Nothing other

than an evening

identical to this,

I thought,
toasting a new-found
friendship with

a beautiful ancient soul.