Retribution

I am in Trafalgar Square to make amends
and remedy a situation that went wrong.
Astrid agreed to give me a second chance
and, though she is already an hour late,
I’m convinced that she won’t be too long.
We are both in a class of foreign students
- where we learn the rudiments of English -
and last week I asked her out on a date.
Then I did a foolish thing: I stood her up.

I had received a phone call from my ex
who said that she had important news;
could she come and see me at my flat?
I knew very well that it was only a ruse
and that we would end up having sex.
I considered my options and in the end
decided that I preferred the certainty
of intercourse with my former girlfriend
than stepping into the unknown with Astrid.

Now, after a lot of excuses and cajoling,
it looks as if I am going to be reprieved,
that the Norwegian will forgive my lapse.
She should have been here three hours ago,
I get the strong impression that perhaps
she is not going to turn up after all.
It must be her way to inform me that
she knows about the goose and the gander
and what she is giving me is tit for tat.

© Luigi Pagano 2010