Beth I See

I.

I saw Beth

from the corner of my eyes.

All grown up,

happy with children.

II.

She rounded the corner

of the candy store

And walk passed me,

busy, guiding

her boys.

III.

She was the same Beth

from long ago.

Short and slender

with the bluest eyes ever

and the softest lips around.

IV.

I remembered then,

passing each other in the halls

of our high school,

warming each others’ soul

with a fiery glance.

V.

I remembered then,

being at a birthday party,

sharing a swim

away from all the guests.

Us being as one.

VI.

I remembered then,

those phone-calls

until past mid-night,

talking about things

we thought were so important, then.

VII.

I remembered then,

losing her on the dance-floor

to a friend.

When she finally got tired

of waiting for an answer

to her call.

VIII.

I wanted Beth

but never asked.

I wanted her

but never got

the nerve

to tell her.

I wanted her

until I knew

I couldn’t have her.

IX.

And so...

There she is.

After all these years.

Little Beth

all grown up.

A family of her own.

She doesn’t notice me

passing nearby

he candy store.

Nor does she notice

I’m stealing

glances of her.

I see Beth

a forgotten painting of beauty

I never completed.

X.

I see her there

as a reminder

of a love long lost

and never

fully

realized.

XI.

She walks away

never knowing

the person who

could’ve been

the love of her life

was right there,

staring at her

from the corner

of his eyes.

XII.

As for me?

I realize

I can’t see another

Beth

coming and going

in my life.