I knocked on a door
with a flickering patio light.
The home belonged to a woman
I didn’t know; a woman I’d wanted to, though.
She had long ash-blonde hair
that cascaded to the small of her back.
The downpour had shifted to a drizzle.
My thick, dark hair lost its stiff style
and nothing placed an order in my life over
loneliness.
But my scars healed, and my heart stitched
together a foiled backup plan.
“Hey, neighbor. I knew you’d come,” Beth said with a grin, waving me through
the door.

(© 2023 AC)

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