Strangers Poem by Bryan E. DeYoung

Was it hope that I saw in your eyes in a moment's quick,
cautious glance as we passed on the street?

?

Would you have found comfort if I had simply said 'hello'?

? ? ?

Was I afraid that you might discover something real and truthful about me or was I afraid that you would truly not care to do so at all?

? ? ? ? ?

What would a park bench be if no two distant souls ever chose that spot at the same time?

? ? ? ? ? ? ?

And will our loneliness ever find the time and courage to wander into a crowd or will it forever dredge on bound to its own chain?

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

I wish that I could have somehow admitted myself to you in that moment....that I had said to you that we were all in the same place and that we were all joined in this human condition....that clothes and money and materials did not make us who we are.....that I would have gladly walked with you, talked with you, enjoyed standing beside you.

~~~~~? ~~~~~

But we met as strangers and did silently choose to remain that way.