I should have felt the moon
move into the third planetary position
in my chart, and the tides turn.
I should have felt the wave surge,
the deluge on the way, and the boats
behind me burn.
I should have known at that moment
how my luck had changed,
all the lifelines on my palm should have lifted,
spun away and come back rearranged.
I should have known.
But it was Derby on a dull November day
and you were only one more stranger.
You checked your watch and waited
for me, one more stranger,
one door away.