By Natalie Ware, TIWP Student

Look at the stars
Look how they shine for you

You were so quiet today
That’s usually me
I’m not usually quiet
But in this circumstance I almost always am
But you were this time
And then she came
And reminded me that I have nothing
My therapist would’ve said I should’ve talked to you
When you were quiet
But I don’t think I should’ve

I noticed you went up to the pier
I noticed because I was walking slower
Because usually I’m at the end of the crowd
But you were
So I was walking slower
And you walked up to the pier
And looked out into the ocean
And I stopped
And I looked at you looking out into the ocean
And I thought that maybe I should too
But not because you were
In fact, that’s the reason I didn’t
It would be strange
To walk up to the pier just because you did
You would think strangely of me
So I didn’t

The two of you left
When we were all hugging
The only reason I asked if I could hug anyone is so that I could hug you
I thought you might feel pressured
With everyone else hugging everyone else
Maybe that’s wrong
I shouldn’t think that
You shouldn’t pressure people
But the two of you left
And I didn’t hug you
But when I walked downstairs you were at the checkout
With her mom
And I said bye
I said it awkwardly
On purpose
Because it would be more awkward if it wasn’t clear it was awkward

“Bye!”
You look up from the desk at me
I don’t like when you look at me
I love it though

I bet you went home in her mom’s car
And talked and laughed
I like to think you said something about me
Good or bad
I like to think you think about me

Maybe you’re a quiet person
You probably are a quiet person
You are a quiet person
You’re a very quiet person
How can you be so quiet but so intimidating

I know you’re not happy
I know the stars don’t shine for you
But I can’t help but think they shine a little more than they do for me
I think that about everyone
Everyone has it better
And should pity me
You don’t seem particularly happy
But it’s a different happy
Your laugh’s pretty
Your smile’s not