a glimpse through
the glass,
percept

confidence
assured,
adept

new dress, hair
tousled,
unkempt

hands searched
for the ring
he'd kept

as she entered
the room, he
stepped

away from the bar,
awkward,
inept

in her direction,
slowly, he
crept

then she saw him,
turned round,
left

he stood where
she'd been,
and wept

Russell Boyle