I like listening

To other people’s lives

They all live them… In

ways so different than mine. /

I drive slowly

To watch the other faces

Reactions… Expressions… These

first impressions that won’t leave a scratch.

Because even if I ever do see them again,

I won’t place the face to the situation. /

I firmly trespass and trod through

The footsteps of others before me.  

Maybe I’m swerving in reverse—

backtracking from their desired progress.  Moving

away from the glorified destination

that their sights and eyes were so surely set upon.

Or possibly I’m shadowing their paths. /

They watch me observing.  

But I’d never consider that

this innocent people-watching

may put the victim in an uncomfortable setting

of my gaze and of my attention.

I intrude, analyze… do everything in my power

to better understand. /

So why can’t I give room for everyone else to

do that as well? //