The Encounter

I saw you today,
gliding down the stairwell.
Your books clutched tight to your chest
and eyes gleaming wide at the steps awaiting you.

I am drifting slowly as I wait
for our eyes to lock,
but they never do.

I see you now
and you are so happy.

I feel like I am a constant reminder,
An alarm waiting to go off,
A wrong turn;
Temporary.

I am this invisible past,
Slowly fading with each day that passes.
Do you realize my small glances still?
Shaky hands
Throat closing
As my heart beats 90 times a second
when we breathe the same oxygen?

I just want to be seen by the eyes
that once saw me more than just a person in passing.
I want to be that random dot out of place on a line,
for you to notice me from the rest.
I want to be a speck on your white shoes.
I want to be seen.
I want to be heard.
It is like I am speaking to you but
the words don't match my lips.

I gaze into your dark brown eyes one last time.
I want to approach you
but I don't interfere.
I walk right past you,
We go our separate ways
with the words unspoken
that are still sizzling on my tongue
as I bite down
and try to hold back the tears.