The Mysterious Mr. Serious

Could an island fling be just the thing, To meld two hearts into one? Or will a mistake cause her heart to break, and all her hopes come undone? by Anna Hughes

Lucy McLarty brought life to the party

Laughter followed wherever she went.

Whereas Harry McBligh was quiet and shy

His nature much more reticent.

For a short holiday they both chose to stay

On an idyllic, tropical isle.

She was out of his league, but he was intrigued

By her spirit and wide-open smile.

That night at the bar he watched from afar

As around her admirers did swarm.

To avoid her reproof he remained quite aloof,

Determined no attachment he’d form.

The next day on the sand, she displayed limbs long and tanned

And he was tempted to buy her a drink.

But before he could offer, another did proffer

And her acceptance caused his heart to sink.

She sipped a martini in her smallest bikini,

Her admirers too many to mention.

But her sunbathing ways did not draw Harry’s gaze,

His novel held all his attention.

His serious look, and nose in his book

Caused a flutter to stir in her chest.

Her lack of appeal, to him - was it real?

Finding the answer would be her new quest.

The day after that they had a quick chat

When the last sailboat they both tried to rent.

She liked cocktails at two, he remarked on the view,

Then graciously withdrew his intent.

She was confused, he seemed less than enthused,

In engaging in light conversation.

Far from deterred, she rather preferred

A man immune to flirtation.

The next day on a whim, she challenged him

To a race ‘round the harbor and back.

She was bound to impress, with her sailing prowess

And she soon took the lead with a tack.

Admiring her style, he broke into a smile

As he doggedly cut through her foam.

He was right on her tail as the wind filled her sail

And they rounded the buoy for home.

It was a close-run thing, but in the end timing

Was ultimately what did her in.

He caught a late wave, and the boost that it gave

Saw him surge ahead for the win.

“You won without doubt,” she said with a pout,

“And I hear it’s the local convention

For the winner to extract from the loser a pact -

Is a kiss, perhaps, your intention?”

She watched his face fall, he looked truly appalled,

As he briefly considered her notion.

“It would be very remiss to elicit a kiss,”

He said, without trace of emotion.

She fled from the scene in a wild careen,

As tears rained down in a flood.

He was befuddled, his feelings all muddled,

He felt his heart drop with a thud.

“I’m such a fool!” she cried by the pool.

“He must think me so shallow and frivolous.

Why would one such as he, have interest in me?

He’s far too gallant and chivalrous.”

He found her there, in the depths of despair

And he felt in his heart a great ache.

“Lucy, please don’t cry, let me tell you why

Your offer I had to forsake”

“I thought there no chance of any romance

With a girl as special as you.

To kiss under duress is not the caress

That I’ve been longing to do.”

She found in his face absolutely no trace

Of deceit or sly artifice.

And as the sun set, their lips finally met

And they shared their very first kiss.

As the summer days flew, their love only grew 

Till nothing could keep them apart.

He was the yin to her yang, she the song his soul sang,

Two halves of the same beating heart.