Rain

It happened again

I saw you and heard you

Walked right beside you

*

I drove through the rain

You weren’t there at first

You didn’t respond to my text

*

I drove over again (why can’t I let go?)

This time I saw you

You moved inside

Then you started to leave

I barely had time to catch you

*

I came to your door

I was let in

You greeted me... with dread?

*

I returned your book

We talked as if there were no pages between us

*

We wandered the hall

You shared your craftsmanship

I was proud of you, and you were, too

You asked if I’d seen

I said once, used “we”

It hung in the air

Untouched, but there

Almost offensive

Pensive

We walked

*

You asked if I had any projects to come

I actually did

I was cast as a tribute

*

What else can I say?

You asked, “Can she stay?”

Why was I seated beside you?

Why not your fiancé?

*

The air hung heavy with questioning

Why was I there? Why not refused entry?

Hospitality hurt

*

She smiled so beautifully

No wonder you’re happy

I couldn’t amount

To someone like her

*

You’ve aged, it seems

You’ve wearied, of me

I keep coming back to you

In dreams

*

The best I can do

Is write poems to process

*

These nights when we meet

Have no claim over me

*

~S.L.