observations

there was this couple


their hands moved everywhere around the table in a dance of avoidance four north poles bouncing around a round box lost but for the ordinary things around them waiting to be held

a glass of tepid water

                                  a half-eaten sandwich

                                                                     a cheap paper napkin

                                                                                                        a freshly harvested heart


***


the couple on the train stared straight ahead swaying slightly in rhythm with the car nowhere touching even though their seats were that close

wheels on rails

louder than shouting

random glances and reflections



***


two voices up ahead two bodies and a sidewalk just wide enough to contain all that talking and gesturing and still there's no contact until the stoplight and a hand shoots out to catch a misstep

sure and quick then retreats into the folds of routine

                                                                                   and the day and the night go on

and on



--aug '16