today –

i asked –

have you seen –

my me?

bewildered,

at least portrayed-

you summoned up your ounce of –

empathy –

responded with eyes more cold and vacant

than winter desolation;

no!

today –

i asked if perhaps,

just – possibly –

i passed without you noticing?

indignant –

emotion-starved –

victimized stare,

your face told me more truth than any words

escaping from your tightly clenched lips…

and there,

behind your lie –

evasive as your affection –

i found – myself!

shivering,

cold as the embers of passion from a fire

so long ago left (not) burning!