A man you never knew is now
demanding you know him.
You stare back, unchanging.
His eyes move away but the smile
does not waver.
A life-time ago this man
loved you, cradled you
with a stranger’s touch.
A phantom in your life
wearing that smile.
A hand reaches out but
stops before it connects.
The smile intensifies.
A day later you try to remember
why you should hate him.
When I see you embrace
I know that, like me,
no one had to knock you down,
you’re already falling.
Scribbled Thoughts 