The moment you realize you’re not paying attention

Jul 12

Published in Intra Art online zine May 2020.

_____

You realize he was there

When he turned away

You saw fluffy coats of cloud-pink petals, springtime

When the rest of the year you forgot the tree was there

A school friend posts about

Their first promotion in a real job

When did their memes in the group chat stop coming?

You played it cool shades on, eyes ahead

As you drove on the cusp of Sea and Sky

Right palm resting on the gearswitch

But all you noticed was that your hand remained empty

And all she noticed was the time growing on the dashboard

You both missed the deer grazing off the shoulders

The head of the mountain capped in snow

The body of saltwater as briny as tears and unsolved mysteries

That might have been solved with observation, empathy

Look; it’s the two-year-old flour in the cupboard

The spotted bananas from when you were inspired to make smoothies

Remember how you once had to reach on your tippy-toes to lick the bowl?

The science of batter rising excites your senses when it once wasn’t worth your salt

You’re determined to notice the bubbles and crust

Instead of the slate rock intrusions in the sandstone at a closed beach

You imagine a smoky mess of s’mores before your cookie crumbles

And you appreciate the finished dozen, the doughy dishes

The clock’s revolution returned to twelve

And you know you’re paying attention.

______

For