the fog on the bathroom mirror was wiped away with a wave to see yourself over
and over the stubble more then less then red tie blue black paisley tie so the audience
knew time was rapidly passing you backing out of the driveway they saw you looking
over your shoulder to check the way was clear and from their perch the audience again
and again saw you not seeing them the warm light of the TV you your family the weather
out the picture window evening morning months then seasons passing it took all of
a minute your paper your hot tea the tentative sip wince over and over and under it all
there was music not for you but the audience to bridge this gap in your story though
maybe sometimes you heard it you looked like you heard it something that felt like

David O'Connell is the author of Our Best Defense (Červená Barva Press). His work has appeared in The Cincinnati Review, New Ohio Review, Copper Nickel, Southern Poetry Review, and North American Review, among other journals. You can read more of his work at davidoconnellpoet.com.