You look into the set of eyes across from you
and do not notice
the color,
the hue,
if they blink,
or whether they match the blouse
so carefully chosen,
Only that they do not look away,
Do
not
even
think
about
it.
Is it
the sheer bravado
of that gaze
that makes your mind spin,
your palms sweat,
that makes you look around
suspiciously
to see if anyone else has noticed?
Is it
the total fearlessness in
this girl's 1000 yard gaze
that makes you wonder?
Is it
because she doesn't know
how to smoke yet
no matter
how hard
she tries
to inhale?
Is it because her book is unmarked
though she clutches the pen in her hand
as if waiting
for someone to tell her
it's okay
to begin?
Is it because this is who she is
for
one
last
moment?
All you know is
right now
she
can
take
it.
Take everything,
Take
it
all,
or, at least,
she thinks
she can.
Los Angeles - 12/22/05
