Nordic summer evening, Richard Bergh (c.1899)

Summer Evening

This day is a gift, as they meet perchance
The sight of each other hearts leap for joy
Hoping this time there shall be a romance
O, fearful of a chance both may destroy

There is politeness at a safe distance
Each awkwardly fumbling for what to say
Looking to the still waters in a trance
Each wondering if they should walk away

“Isn’t this a beautiful day,” blurting out
Both in unison, followed by a laugh
Just may be the end of their verbal drought
They have cut their distance by more than half

Now inside one another’s comfort zone
One awaiting the other to bestirred
The absence of any words both bemoan
They smiled, parted without another word