Mirage

Image by author and Midjourney

Her smile brightens the room
Her hair is black —
Or is it blonde?
Is it glowing from her warmth?
We make small talk in a corridor in my workplace
It feels good
But I don’t know who she is
It feels wrong
I frown
She’s not wearing our uniform

But I recognise her
She’s who we didn’t get to be
Because I didn’t ask
Because I didn’t think it was right
Because I didn’t think I was right for you

She appears in my dream
Because that’s the best my mind could do
To keep myself from thinking of you
From thinking about all we never were

I stare at the stars, rudely splashed awake
As I continue my lucid nightmare
Of not knowing if I’ll see you again.