When Are You Free
The lake’s schedule was more fluid, / naturally, but we squeezed in the time,
by Shane Schick
Send me a few dates and we’ll lock it in,
he wrote. We were planning to meet
for business and I got the message
on my phone while I was outside.
Felt the need to double-check first:
The birds, pacing in circles, certainly
seemed to have plenty of openings.
The lake’s schedule was more fluid,
naturally, but we squeezed in the time,
with no need to break our silence
and apologize for the lack of agenda.
By now I know the sun’s calendar
almost as well as my own, and that
it wouldn’t be able to stay much longer.
I zipped up my jacket more tightly
since the cold, which never has any
flexibility, insisted on being punctual.
Back in the car and heading for home
I kept my eyes on the road, of course,
but not just to avoid any accidents.
Part of me was also watching for
any invites from one of the stars,
or even a raincheck from the clouds.
My availability’s pretty good. I’d accept.
Shane Schick has had work appear in Juniper: A Poetry Journal, Stanchion Zine, South Florida Poetry Journal and many other publications. He works as a journalist and content marketer covering business, technology, fashion and more. He is based in Whitby, Ont. More: ShaneSchick.com/Poetry.
Twitter: @ShaneSchick
