Pulling up a chair for him,

She poured him some tea.

Then she sat across from him,

So they were knee to knee.

When he didn't know what to say,

He spoke the first thought in his head.

Spying the cat perched on her chair,

"What a pretty cat," he said.

Then he wondered why he'd spoken.

He should have just let it be.

She thanked him very sweetly

As the thought crossed her mind.

Another thought came to him,

As in the corner he spied her broom,

And though he spoke of the weather,

She agreed about the weather,

But wondered what he meant.

When he glanced at the broom,

How wonderful it was to her,

For a gentleman to come to call.

For at her age she'd wondered

If she'd ever find anyone at all.

She needn't have worried, though,

If the tea was over way too soon,

When he bowed as he left and asked

If he could "come tomorrow afternoon."

Perhaps, he thought as he took his leave.

With just one backward look.

She waved when he looked back

And thought what a delightful man!

She stood and watched him go,

Then finally turned away.

And in her heart she knew

There'd be no more lonely days!

Written by Anita Burney of Topeka, Kansas 2008