The Prevention of Love

The teenagers met by chance

On a cold Saturday morning

In a bedridden town

Stripped of its dignity

She was a friend of his cousin

He was shopping alone

They went for a coffee

Wrapping their hands round the cups

To keep warm

Small talk stumbled from their lips

What music do you like?

Do you play a sport?

Deep thoughts compressed

They lived 20 miles from each other

He was smitten

Time was hauling in the dark

They briefly held hands

Her phone rang

It was her mother

Coming to take her home

He wanted to kiss her

But rejection was too big a risk

Besides,

The distance between them

And no bus or train service

To connect them

Sealed their fate.

©JMN2022