Halcyon

almost #2

i thought he liked me back,
the way his eyes lingered
a second too long,
the way his laughter
always found mine.

i told myself maybe
maybe the universe was whispering
something small but certain.
maybe he smiled that way
just for me,
and maybe the curse was
indeed breakin'.

almost.

until it wasn't.
because it wasn't.
until it was just my friend.
he asked me her number,
and sang her praises
like a song he'd been saving,
each word a note
i'd never get to hear.
and i sat there,
smiling, nodding,
pretending i didn't know the tune,
and that i was so happy for them, too

it's funny how the heart
can trip over almosts
how something so close
can still miss by miles.

he likes her.
she likes him.
and i'm just here,
rewinding moments,
trying to find the frame
where i mistook
the universe's sign