Cruise

"Panoramic," was what she said

about the coastline from on deck --

tepidly, as though three Manhattans and

the oblivious buffet line went

through her thoughts with equal weight.

There was a moment, though, yes

in conversation with the slim mate

of the doctor, over dessert, less

than filler, really, but during which

she casually touched on ancient Ur,

something about water and defenses.  Mitch,

the doctor, looked at her as though he were

you and she herself, both 19 -- the only one you wanted to sleep with

from that off-campus party years ago.  Then, she wore rabbit fur,

brushed aside her bangs using her left

index finger:  girlish, alluring, deft.