The train was rolling all night long.
It was late
while we traveled
uptown, alone together.
My eyes were resting
when I found a head resting on my shoulder
– but not my own.
The red, green and golden-haired lovely beside me
eyes closed
was well into my personal space.
I did not mind
as she leaned.

She leaned into me
on to me
and
as I viewed the light mass of the auburn portion of her head nestling on my arm,
I found the weight of the moment
kept me unable to move
for fear of jostling her awake.
My transfer station passed
but I could not abandon this beauty
to the shock of my departure
so I remained in motion,
heading to Queens.

Protecting this slightly snoring vision
from wakefulness.
I tried to watch her
from far too close.
My angle told me she was young
but wise
but innocent
and hot
and she needed defense from world awoken
– mine.

At the end of the line
she startled awake
her eyes wide
shocked
as she took stock of her location
and projectile vomited on the family opposite us.

There are days, clearly,
where the choices you make
define everything that is to come after.
In that instant
I was ecstatic
I had chosen to sit next to this girl
and not in the seat across.