In the light of a dark summer
I wrote you letters
That you never saw.
They still collect dust
Under old books and magazines.
And you never knew.

I don’t forget them,
Because you always appear
And remind me of…

What?
Some grand delusion
I built around myself?
Being in love with the idea
Of not knowing you?

All that poetry about you.
All those hours wasted
Wishing you were there,
When I had no idea
Who I was wishing for
Or why I was wishing
Or what I was doing at all.

Maybe I’m just fascinated
To know who you are
And who you were.

Today you seemed…
Different.
Not because your hair
Was shorter than when I last saw you
Or because you wore different clothes.

You just felt that way.

I don’t think you saw me.
Which was a good thing
Because I felt all nervous
And insecure
And I wanted to get home.

Still, you reminded me
Of where I was then,
And my absurd naivety.

That I can do without.

09/04/2001

Posted on 12/08/2005
Copyright © 2025 Richard Vince