The Bridge

I’m sitting with you on a damp, green bench

We are underneath bright stars and overlooking shimmering water

Light traffic passes overhead as we converse

Fears, dreams and regrets

Shared between too few cigarettes

And the hours of predawn

Is the time to fly away

Before the birth of another day

Brings the death of our night
Uno Momento

It's 10:24AM and I'm shuffling uneasily in a tight corridor. To my left are shelves full of cases; to my right, toilets. I hate working here, but I have no choice - my cubicle isn't big enough to house these shelves.

It's 10:24AM and I can sense the impending rush for the morning tea/toilet break to happen. I start feeling flustered and hurried as the secretaries walk past me and into the toilets.

It's 10:24AM and I dodge and weave for executives storming past. I keep my head down and try to look as busy as I can possibly look. I avoid their attempts at acknowledging smiles and shy away from any eye contact they may be trying to establish.

It's 10:24AM and the noise of light chatter and hand dryers consumes my attention. I feel a gush of wind as the toilet doors are open and shut behind me.

It's 10:24AM and a concoction of coffee, air freshener and perfumes alert me that they will soon retire to their offices. Exchanges of half-hearted greetings and lesser conversations are slowly fading.

It's 10:24AM and everything stops.

Hi, are you Mario?
Yes. (And you are so beautiful. What's your name?)
I heard you're covering for Rosalinda while she is away?
Yes. (I've been working here for a while but usually keep to myself. Nobody usually acknowledges me.)
Good to meet you. Well, welcome aboard. If you need any help my office is next to Nicole's.
OK. (Would you like to go for lunch sometime? How about today?)
I'll see you later.


It's 10:25AM and everything is back to normal. I carry on with my work as the last hint of her fragrance is whisked away by the gush of wind from the toilet door behind me.