She sat on the wooden bench
Her rain boots dangling
Water dripping
She looked at me for an explanation
So much grief
devastation in a pink rain coat
“Do you want to play with me, Haley?”
I felt smaller than her
Patronizing and empty
I hope she didn’t feel that too
“No” she said.
Her eyes pooled and I drowned
Looking at her for a feeling I could discuss
We are both gasping for air.
Her mom comes
Looking better than I expected
But I’ve never been on a first name basis with it
The closest I’ve been is pink ribbons and commercials
I ask her how she’s feeling
Afraid to pry
Afraid to seem careless
They walk out of the classroom
And I stay on the bench with that little girl
Longer than I mean to.