Recede

By Palak Jain

Another room,

the same space,

filled with strangers,

I should have known them by now,

enough to strike a conversation,

that wouldn't leave me guessing,

enough to share a fire,

that wouldn't ask permission to burn,

enough to spill the water,

that wouldn't sink the ice.

Instead,

I opt to stare at the door,

contemplating the courtesies,

that wouldn't leave a repercussion of regret,

that would return knocking,

asking for a friend,

one that I couldn't be,

or worse,

a love that couldn't die.

By Palak Jain