on the bus I watch their faces

and wait for them to read line five

it’s the one that’s guaranteed to

draw a reaction of some sort,

a furrowed brow, a double squint

puffed cheeks, a silent expletive

or a look of surprise, then

surreptitiously they might look

around to see if anyone else

is also reading it, it’s the last line

that is the real killer, it leaves

them hanging lank, like washing,

did she or didn’t she? and what

became of the letter?

I only wish I knew!

© Graham R Sherwood 11/24