midnight
at the convenience store
a strange soul
of whom I know not her name
nor her scars
nor her yesterdays
she seemed to have a familiar face –
searching through the refrigerator
collecting different flavors of gum
studying the curry stain in the microwaves
and –
digging for
an expired train ticket
a half-empty bottle of wine
a young diary
in the pile of chips and candies
she climbed over the counter
dragged the shirt of the cashier
stared straight into those eyes, terrified eyes
for a whole damn minute

it disappointed her

torn
she broke into endless screams and tears
“how did I become like this, father?
did you eat your car keys?
have you seen my dancing shoes?”

I was ready to rush away from this mire of nonsense –
but she grabbed my wrist
and looked at me
with her face
my stolen face
and I forgot who I am

March 2015