i had so much to say
until i saw u today

the butterflies ate
all my words away

poem i wrote this summer: revisited

walking home from work
i saw you from a distance
hobbling, pushing a wire cart of groceries
your grey hair like the balding fur of my favorite teddy bear
pale cheeks, sagging flesh
a tired-eyed woman
walking back to the elderly home apartments.
i gazed at your beauty from a distance
but looked away as soon as we got closer
i didn't want to make you feel uncomfortable.

but then you said,
hello
as we passed.
my cool nonchalant face un-wired into a giant smile and replied
hi

and i cant stop thinking about this moment
when i was too afraid
to openly appreciate
you

listen

turn the sound
upsidedown