She sits beside me —
as if my name were air,
a passing sound — forgotten.

I turn my gaze away,
pretending to watch the world,
yet all the while — I watch her.

In silence — I admire,
the constellation of her skin,
the little stars — her moles —
scattered across her body,
and the single one that rests
upon her left cheek,
like a secret blessing.

She never knows —
but my hands are trembling,
my heart — unfastened,
a captive to her nearness.

I pretend — yet I am undone.
For every glance I steal of her
is a prayer I cannot speak aloud.