A Swift Pardon

Across the street, a sudden shape,

a scarf pulled tight. And I just nodded.

A quick, small gesture.

No reason for them to stop,

or notice me.

It felt like years ago,

the sharp thing they had done,

a bright shard of glass

I’d swallowed down.

And then, the simple grace

of letting it all go,

without a word.

A breath released.

Too soon, perhaps.

The pavement gleamed.