Momentary Recognition (Pry, to)

you were standing.

leaning. waiting.

for something, someone.

i knew you once. long ago.

and standing there, across the room. across the invisible distance of time. i wonder.

wonder if you would remember that time.

or that time.

times i have forgot.

times i have forgave.

those i haven't.

you're leaning against the wall. smoking.

american spirits.

the only cigarette that still tastes good.

i watch. wait. some song is playing in the backround.

i don't know the name, just that it's hand has been overplayed.

leaning. standing. you glance over.

and for a second. split second.

calculated. reduced. and divided.

i see the recognition. i see the judgment.

one night.

one night and it was all washed away.

i remember saying. saying.

that i can't find a feeling i buried long ago.

i remember saying, that i don't have an answer.

and that i would rather be alone then feel alone.

i see your momentary recognition. i see that green flash in your eyes, so like hers. so like mine. so like no one i remember.

i remember saying i can't trust another. that it's easier to hide.

i think, looking at you leaning. we're staring at one another from across the room now.

you look. i look.

memories are passed without words.

voices that were silent for so long, i realize, are not gone.

i remember the tears we never cried.

i think as i turn around.

think. one night. one night.

one night.

one night.

i think.

one night.

i think

if i could change the future, i would change the past instead.