through raindrops on the window
the red lights refracted into a thousand
speckles. outside, a steady
stream of cars drove single-file
along the narrow lane mirrored
by pedestrians braving the drizzle
in search of something
lesser than or more
than release.
and sitting there on a stool framed
by fluorescent lights
she seemed to be waiting for me
while reading a book
in a language far from my own.
the car stopped as i stepped
into the cold, hands
thrust deep into pockets
with head bowed low.
