“it's my birthday” she said,
sodden eyes scanning the street

the older man next to her,
with an unhealed scar on his chin
showed me he was waiting
for her caution to wane

i let her use my phone
gave her a hug and a kiss
asked “you okay?”, already
knowing that she wasn't

getting on the bus home
i changed my mind
turned around, looking
she was nowhere to be found

may the night be kind