Girl on a train

[Art Deco]

Thanks to all for your helpful and generally positive feedback - This was my first attempt at writing free verse and it's a great feeling not to have to worry so much about metre and rhyme. My stuff is normally very structured and ryming.

BTW this encounter on the train never happened to me but I thought it was a meaty subject to attempt.

I looked up from my paper
And you from your book
Our eyes met for an instant
You gave a faint smile then turned away
I smiled back but you did not see
You had returned to your book
Were you taking in the words
Or were your thoughts focused on me
As mine were on you
Perhaps your heart was racing
Mine was

You looked up again
And caught my eye
I smiled again and you half-smiled back
I was mesmerised by your flawless face
You flicked your hair
And turned your head to the window
I risked a surreptitious glance at your reflection
Our reflections smiled back to one another
Yours was a mischievous taunting smile

The train jolted to a halt
You stood and grabbed a case
Made for the door
And were lost
Save for that final enigmatic smile from the platform
That smile lingers still

If love can happen in an instant
I think I loved you then
Did you love me
I should have followed you
I didn’t
I never saw you again
Who were you
What were you
What became of you
Are you still beautiful
Are you happy
Do you remember

Girl on a train
A distant memory now
A thrilling transitory encounter
Like the headlights of approaching cars
You dazzled me
Undimmed and brilliant
Will I find you again
So you can dazzle me again