nearly anonymous in
a city where i don’t speak
the language, but that’s my fault
with inconsistent inspiration
to be known beyond
the passing press of thin lips
a slow motion blink, a nod

i’ve never been one to seek
connection, preferring instead
the self-cast enigma to
circumvent awkward moments
by freezing time itself from
the safety of the observation tower

the arc of storytelling would suggest
a /therefore/ an /and so/ a /but maybe/
but maybe it’s not my place to say
what’s the right approach to happy