After a long absence, I finally have the chance to respond to the Dverse poets prompt…it’s good to be back!

My effort for the conversation in a poem is:

Enough Excitement for One Day

He dreamed of warm sea, unfamiliar skies
she planned a day at Eastbourne.
He considered jetting easily within his pension,
she mastered the middle lane of the motorway.
He mused about sporting matching sarongs,
she bought identical plaid rugs.
He intended late-life muscle tone and tanned limbs,
she tucked the rug tight across his lap against the chilly Channel breeze.
He savoured spicy meats, cocktails sparkling, gaudy,
she packed a simple picnic, sweet tea in the Thermos.
He yearned for aromatic, musky scents,
she breathed deeply salt-tanged, fish-smacked ozone
and turned her proud smile to his stroke-struck face.
He tried to smile with the moving part of his lips.
Couldn’t. Swear words jumbled, never reached his tongue.
He tipped his tea onto the plain of rug, taut across his knees.
She touched his cheek, eyes damp – from the breeze?
“I think we’ve had enough excitement for one day.
Next time it will be easier.” For a moment,
she watched tankers as they slipped easily across the horizon,
then stood and slowly folded her blanket,
corner to exact corner,
preparing their return to the car.
He did not help.