Sunday, September 08, 2002

it was just for a

it was just for a moment
while I was adjusting the straps
that confine me
while I was attending
to the myriad details
that are reality
scatter my thinking
my eyes had swept past you
and registered yours
just a moment too late
we had looked through each other
your eyes were attentive
solicitous gentle
I’d just kept on moving
my head everturning
the image was seared
like a burn that you feel
just moments too late
once the damage is done
though the flame is extinguished
I tried standing straighter
and calming my person
and shifting my eyes
back to where they belonged
but the moment was over
you were looking out
of a window all fogged
with your breath and your face
was reflecting against it
with warmth you’d once shared with me
I was distracted
and then it was over
the warmth was still with me
long after you left
I wanted to know
what you thought while you watched me
I need to get focused
on seeing what happens
I’m missing the good stuff
but finally noticing
next time maybe
you’ll see me second
I’ll see you first
and we can both see
what happens next