damaged goods

a flash of our fate
reflected in the mirrored glass
staring back at me
i saw myself through my own eyes, and yours
mirror upon mirror upon mirror
look away

my shoulders are back, chin slightly lifted
my arms aren't visable but you see my fists, ready
braced for combat, battered and bloodied
drip drip drip onto the sandy concrete

when i open my mouth you hear screams
you cover your ears with invisible muffs, reflexive
repulsed by my putrid breath
dead on the inside
clawing clawing clawing at the packed earth, get out

then we're snapped back into this moment
a lingering look about to pass
and we seem to understand what hasn't been
walking away, you never even said hello