She loved me from dawn until when it was time to leave
Before that, just another first date

Strangers of Saturday
Morning match and texting
Always the same
"Any plans for the weekend?""
"Not much. You?"

Number swap and location share
"What's your ETA?"
Public place and avocado toast
The first conversation
Always the same
"How long have you been single?"
"What are you looking for?"

Walk along the river
Hands touching and holding
And then getting away
Kiss on the bench
Clumsly an quick
"No tongue, please", she asks
Silent pause that follow it
The next conversation
Always the same
"What would you like to do?"

Book a hotel nearby
"I'll go to get my car"
"I'll meet you there"

Shower and undressing
Lacy lingerie and pricey boxer-shorts
The lovers first time chat
Always the same
"You look nice"
"Is that OK?"

But this is where it changed

We set to spend the night
She fetched her dressing gown
As if we were at home
And went to get ready
Taking her makeup off
Putting her night cream on
Bath towel on her side of the bed

Old time couple on a Saturday night
Watching TV together
Sting concert at the Proms
More Gogglebox than Netflix and chill
Piled up on one another
With an old couple's chat
"Can you get me some water?"
"Would you like a snack?"
"No thank you"

Eyes drooping
"Shall we go to sleep?"
Temptation of once more
Tiredness getting its way
The last chat of the day
Always the same
"Goodnight"
"Goodnight"

Quick kiss after the lights go off
Trying falling asleep in each other's arms
Trying falling asleep spooning
The understated words of the forever two
Speaking in tongues only they understand
"I quite like you"
"You're not too bad"
And then going their separate ways
Each on one side
Turning away from each other

Bad night's sleep and early wake up
Wavering hands asking
The silent question of the morning after
Always the same
"Are you awake?"
"I could do with you"

And then it changed again

She undressed me
Her eyes intimating words
I had never heard
Or fully understood
She didn't give me choice
"Be quiet. Now I'll look after you"

I let her give me the attention of a
Formidable woman committed to
Making the man she has chosen
Strong again, happy and full

Forbidden apple to the newly paired
Way too much, far too soon
But she knew as I did
That our lives were knocking
At the door already
Keen to come an collect
Before the bell of noon

With abandon, might and
All the love orphan
Left in my heart unboxed
It was my turn to take her
Old couple rekindling
For the next few hours
We had the real thing
I made her gasp
And I made her scream
Loudly

Love infinite
Proud
Unrepentant
And short-lived

Until her alarm rang
And it was time for
The last conversation
Always the same
""I should go get ready"
"You can go shower first".

Capri, this is for you.