subtext

• •

Vicissitudes of Longing

He knew enough

if not too much,

while pretending

he knew it all.

She, too, wanted

more, something

other, ineffable,

not here, not now.

They sat in silence,

without moving,

listening closely

for the other’s heart.

Nearby, on the wall

hung a stale still life.

(September 17, 2019)