Empty Seat
Location
I stared at your empty seat in math class for days
When I asked you about it, you responded
“It’s nothing, don’t ask”
and I wished I hadn’t said anything at all
I watched your eyelids grow heavier
and your under eyes grow darker
When I asked if you had gotten any sleep, you said
“I did, leave me alone”
and I wished I hadn’t asked anything at all
I heard your lies get longer, louder, lazier
When I brought it up, you said
“It’s not your business”
and I wished I hadn’t mentioned anything at all
I heard the stories and all the rumors and all the “jokes”
When I checked up on you, you simply forced a smile and said
“Everything is okay, stop asking”
and I wished I hadn't continued asking at all
I saw your picture on the back of page thirteen of the newspaper
and at that moment
I only wished I had said more