When the threads were bronze br That kept me seperate br But before they turned to black br That would divide me even more br I met her in a grocery check out line br By what we mortals call chance. br br If it was God or Devil that made the meeting br Only life beyond the grave can proof br But how strange that one so briefly met br Could cut and deeply br This ever striving soul. br br Lean and forward and beautiful br She knew chaos when she saw it br And dispatched two pennies br To my rescue. br br I wish I had said thank you br On the spot and invited her br To lunch or coffee or whatever br Was to be with so little introduction. br br But I was fearful of her beauty br And an intensity of yearning br More powerful than sex br Her simple act of care had sparked. br br Spark to dry tinder a fire makes br And months later I wonder at my cowardice br That hid behind stories of Will Stretch br And the gal he married who had turned down br A matrimonial proposal from br 'Chesty' Puller a legendary marine. br br A ring on my finger br And a ring on hers br These things attraction could not erase. br And hierarchy has its' morbid logic br But still in moments of dry marriage br I think about her br And feel the pull of two pennies br That may have carried more br Than clerks balancing their cents.