I fold inward
under his disarming smile
and swift, certain walk
his gracious
warm welcomes,
such easy charm
so eager to please.
I shrink when I leave this place,
again not knowing his name.
How visible could I be beside beauty queens
in the company of fluent tongues.
Would he ever reach for me
in this maze of smog,
of city, of tango?
Would he remind me of a body
that feels like home?
A stranger has become
a sturdy lighthouse
I float toward
in this storm
to be fed
to be found.
TANGO ABASTO 