The Unwilling Voyeur
I ‘m all alone nursing a mocha frappuccino
Reading a novel, listening to music from my cel
But my mind wanders; pleasant thoughts flow
Into my consciousness; images of my lovely girl
People went in and out, ordered and ate
I’m oblivious to those milling around
I scan the pages, yet no words penetrate
I think of her and hear no other earthly sound
The door opens abruptly nudging me from reverie
A young couple walks in; she’s barely out of tweens
Not much older, he’s tall and fair; she’s so pretty
An angelic face, looking juvenile in cut-off jeans
Not mindful, she’s in tears, sobbing loudly
He has his arms around her, trying desperately
To make her stop; as she shakes uncontrollably...
Eyes were all on them; albeit reluctantly
The boy orders drinks then moved aside
Holding her tight; as she sobs, sounding so hurt
I watched unwillingly as he rocks her side to side
Whispering sweetly, as tears drenched his shirt
They left after they got their drinks, he held the tray
To his car in front; as looks and whispers
And questions followed them as they drove away
I just sat there, wondering wherefrom her tears.
Why is she grief-stricken? Crying and full of sorrow?
Did a loved one pass away? Is there a child unwanted?
Is she ill; so sick that she won’t see tomorrow?
Is he off to a senseless war, no return guaranteed?
But whatever the reasons, those tears mean goodbye!
Farewell to a loved one; goodbye to her young years
So long to a sheltered life, or even the sun in the sky
Perhaps watch helplessly as the future disappears!
(Goodbye! A brutal word, one of my biggest fears
Always mindful I’ll be alone when the dust clears...)
So I sat mesmerized, thinking of my circumstance
For I also must bid farewell to my sweetheart!
Will she cry like that girl? Or welcome the chance
Start life anew with someone; and from me apart?
Will she scream; sob loudly and uncontrollably?
Do I comfort her? Even if I don’t know how
Do I walk away, like a heel and leave abruptly?
Or do I stay, though I want it to end right now?
I dread goodbyes; it sounds so final, yet I must
For her sake I must leave, for a conflict I see...
Love we share; but not enough, not equal to the test
Life will bring each day; so sadly we’ll never be!
© Vic Evora
06-01-2014
A poem I wrote five years ago. The story really happened in a Starbucks somewhere in LA. The last three stanzas are fictional....
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