Waiting on Every Sign

A Poem

Photo by Wali Saleem: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-wearing-red-and-black-saree-dress-2103939/

you were the hue of a gray sky
leaking rain over the landscape,
and i could have been your storm
wrapped up in a gentle skin

but you were untouchable,
magnificent,
admirable —
so unlike all the rest

maybe that’s why i wanted you

maybe that’s why i stayed away

i waited on every sign
to feel seen,
but it never came

you were the last call
before a train embarked,
and i was the person running
and trying to catch the ride

but you were undefinable,
stark,
impenetrable —
like a locked garden gate

maybe that’s why i closed my heart

maybe that’s why i looked away

i waited on every sign
to feel heard,
but i was too quiet

you were the final destination
for some, for some —
but i wasn’t on the guest list
and i went home alone