it was raining and i didn't have an umbrella with me. you were all wet as well-- your cotton candy pink hair stuck to your forehead like long spider legs. why was it raining in december? you pulled out a magazine from your bag and covered your head with it, took a deep breath and ran across the street shrieking. you almost got hit by a compact car and you shrieked at it louder. something about you just screamed stupidity and fun. i will bring a big enough umbrella tomorrow. don't die too soon.

i was having my usual meal of a cigarette and juice for breakfast when you walked past me with your hair in a bun and your obvious makeup from last night. you wore a long-sleeved white shirt that was 2 sizes too big for you but you looked fine, although you almost tripped and muttered **** under your breath four times. you went inside a 7/11 and came out with a large coffee and a donut. i tried not to inhale when you walked past me again to get to your car and i think you noticed because you quickly looked and smiled. i spotted an air dancer on my way to work and thought, same. maybe some other time we could get breakfast together.

Here I wait.
The daily purgatory
continues
trains speed through
the underground
lips neutral
eyes half open
shoe untied
girl three seats ahead
brown hair green eyes
gone
no words
sealed doors
cloudlight
sheds through
the tunnel's end
buildings reflect
off glass
tie my shoe
stand up
rush down stairs
girl three stations behind
brown hair green eyes
on the quiet elevator
fifth floor tired yawn
half past six
the daily purgatory continues
eyes half open while the trains
speed through the underground.
Here I wait.