Eyes

waiting in fleece sweatpants
pink with a soft top below
hair tossed up in a twist
staring with eyes talking
mouth silently stressed
in the grocery store
on thanksgiving eve
outside the bathroom
I stop, look and read
she tells me her story
recited by her maternal
stance and stare, checking
on her little girl in the potty
just tiny blond joy and mommy
serving facades, late for the party

your eyes told a tired story clear
when I looked into yours last year
like a download of your aching soul
splashed cold upon mine, changing
two stories combined, entwined
destined to walk side-by-side
for a reason, for a season
and as one comes to end
another starts again
pain in eyes relies
on me to mend

– Jason Kichline