Desire (Poetry)

I saw the way he looked at her —
the moment locked — every atom in the air
hung — caught up and waiting there —
denying breath — absorbing that long quiet

tangible — the heat between them crossed —
re-crossed the gap and gripped them —
the instant scorched in memory
burning into time

peeling off the layers — allowing pain
as glorious and necessary —
nothing else could ever be so irresistible —
an excruciating rush — the shock waves rippled out...

I witnessed when he touched her —
my own flesh seared — made glad with empathy —
an untutored thrill that’s haunted — envious and fearful
no man will ever look at me that way.