THE EDGE OF THE WORLD

A hand, offered just in time

They gathered at the edge of the earth to watch the world’s sun set.

He brought two chairs and a beer,
settling himself in the front row.

She brought only herself.
She stood at the edge of the crowd.

He glanced around and found himself in a sea of people who had chosen to be alone.

Then he caught her eye and motioned for her to join him.

As she scanned the empty faces around her,
she saw one smiling face mouthing, 
Come sit with me,
gesturing to the empty lawn chair beside him.

After a moment’s hesitation,
once she was sure it was really her he meant,
she walked toward him.

And so,
at the edge of the world,
as one world ended,
she found a hand she could hold.