Gia Raquel

Do you see the way he looks at her?

Full of pride and longing.

He dares not grab for her hand,

For he knows he’ll startle her.

He’ll stroke her cheek,

And breathe her in,

Never wishing to forget who she is.

But now he is gone,

And she rolls in regret.

Every time she looks out her door,

Expecting him to be standing.

She had no right to attach bruises to his skin,

They linger and spread, reminding him, torturing him,

What did I do wrong?

Did I kiss her too hard?

Did I not love her enough?

So now she sits alone,

Hands twitching upon her lap.

She smiles and laughs to herself,

Responding to conversations that long since passed.

You can kiss me…On my cheek.

And she’ll giggle and sip her tea,

As the room sings with silence,

With a final clink to her name.