Blood As My Ink

Missed Connection

I don't know why,

Maybe the place was full,

Maybe it was your spot,

Maybe it was me.

But you sat by my side.

Partners in personal work

In a public space.

You researched,

I wrote.

I wrote we traded names,

Talked about our history

What we were drinking

What you were reading

What I was writing.

Maybe you were interested,

Maybe I was interesting,

Maybe we sparked.

I don't know.

I wrote I pulled off my headphones,

And you gave me a look

Looking at what I wrote

Looking at how my eyes darted away

Looking at how I tried not to remember.

Maybe it was a cheetah striped bag,

Maybe it was pearl pink purse,

Maybe you wore your hair up.

I don't know.

Perhaps I should have pushed,

Maybe I was scared,

Maybe I was an outsider,

Maybe I was weak.

But we sat

For a short eternity,

Reading and writing.

I left alone,

And you watched.