In France

Cell Phone 01
(Chateau Ducal, Caen)

Warrior on the ramparts
of medieval battlements;
Thick stone walls to protect
and to hide behind.
Before the spire
of Saint Peter's Church,
Suspended
between heaven and earth.
Cell phone in hand.
Conqueror of the world.

Cell Phone 02
(Rue St. Pierre, Caen)

She, beautiful,
fresh of face
and shapely of figure,
in long skirt and clinging sweater.

He, handsome,
athletic and sharp,
in polo shirt and jeans.

Walking hand in hand,
eyes far away in their own world,
engaged in fervent conversation, isolated.

She, on her cell phone,
He, on his.

Cell Phone 03
(Honfleur, Normandy)

Saint Catherine's,
a solemn Norman church.
Timbered like a sturdy ship
on the high seas,
the somber oak pillars
and carved icons
polished by incense and prayers,
cracked by time
and the salt sea air.
Flickering lights from candles,
and dancing dapples of sunlight
through stained glass
ebb and flow
as gusty gray-white clouds
blow by the sun.

A shrill, stuttering scream
pierces the still darkness.
A young woman
runs to the church door,
panicked,
seeking daylight,
to answer her cell phone.

Finally !
Time to be alone with her,
away from rushing noises,
motor fumes,
and the scattering sounds
that deafen in the streets
and in the metro tunnels.

To hear her voice
amidst the softly cooing pigeons
and the splashing of the fountain.
To enjoy the calm rosé
of the reflecting pool
tinted by the setting sun
the delicious color
of the wine he drinks.

This is the garden of lovers
embracing quietly as night falls,
becoming still
like the marble statues
that surround them.
Their love aglow in the twilight,
tasting the wine
from each other's mouths.

Finally!
Time to be alone with her.
Leaning back in his chair
he whispers into his cell phone:
"I love you.

© 2000 Richard Sidy