You’ll open the door and show me in,
Flashing me a nervous grin as you
Ask a hundred questions and spout a thousand words.
I’ll give you my terse replies
While you sneak glances at my eyes
To look for a reaction or the smallest hint of hope.
You’ll smile sheepishly, play your card-
Obvious that you’ve worked too hard-
And set us up like the movie in your mind.
I’ll laugh just at the right spots for you,
Crinkle my eyes like you want me to
In a smile as wide as a watermelon slice.
You’ll think a lot while not enough
And though your mental journey’s rough
Finally you’ll pull me close as day draws to a close.
I’ll tense and shy away, you’ll see-
Through pitying apologies
I’ll escape out the door and down the street ‘til I’m alone.

But will I apologize
To you or to myself?
This all-too-familiar scene
Is straight out of the silver screen.
This is a callow dream that isn’t mine-
It’s someone else’s story.

If I were the architect of prose,
Directing my own dreams, I know
I’d end up with who I always hoped I would.