i remember him
we never spoke much
a simple question and answer sufficed
valued items changed hands
the exchange was at an end
three minutes, tops
yet my cheeks flushed
and i stammered
every time
—
i remember you
you were fascinating
black plastic glasses, unkempt hair, tattoo
maybe your name was ben
alex, johnny, pete
or any number of other names
whatever it was would have fit you
like a glove
but i never knew
—
i don’t suppose you remember me
most days i’d check to see if you were there
blushing if you caught me at it
staring straight ahead with burning ears
i stopped buying coffee when you worked
worrying that i sounded a fool
stories have to end sometime
i wonder where yours has taken you
supposing you’d never remember me
