…today –

you passed me on the street.

for a moment our eyes met.

i formed a smile, greeted you.

you turned your head and walked away.

 

as i continued along my journey,

i debated with myself – what did i do?

what impression did i give that warranted indifference?

confused.

uncertain.

i placed the moment in my box of “after-while” –

consideration for another day.

 

today i messaged you.

excited to share a “guess-what?”.

busy,

you promised conversation some other time –

another day.

perhaps i read more into your dismissal than i should.

just maybe,

i held on too long to my expectation of your when –

misconstrued your (un)intention.

 

today –

i waited for you.

anticipated the familiar comfort of your voice.

impatiently counted the minutes until your arrival.

rehearsed with eager enthusiasm my words expressing joy at your return.

but today,

you did not –

 

return.

 

and standing here,

commiserating with just myself,

i understood the sadness of alone –

 

the deafening roar of silence –

the numbing pain –

of your most callous – inconsideration…

doors.

we stand on one side,

or the other.

owner of the lock,

or the knock.

so easy to choose –

allow or disallow.

 

if –

our position – outside,

choices still to be made.

 

to overcome the fear –

apprehension –

of ignore?

or if –

so inclined –

make unaware our presence –

ambition to belong?

 

so great,

the opportunity –

ownership of discern.

to stand in judgment –

condemn or condone.

remain silent in shadows of presumed insignificance –

or shine our light –

replace the darkness of cant –

with the brilliance of our might?

 

regardless the anxiety of consequence,

we own the obligation to choose.

 

so much more desired –

decision of intent,

than incidence of suppose…