Strangers (Once Again)

I saw you
gazing at the mayonaise.
I was reaching for a carton of eggs.
I thought you saw me.

I thought
perhaps, you’d turn
and smile
(I loved your smile).

I considered saying something
but, what could I say
that I hadn’t said
a thousand times before.

I remembered
the first time I saw you
emerging naked from the sea,
water streaming from your hair —
Venus rising.

I was transfixed.
I am still transfixed.
Our carts passed in the aisle
moved on to other places —
strangers
(once again).