Subway Chance

This subway car is crowded hot
the noise, the smell, the human rot
pressed together we don’t chat
don’t say this, don’t say that,
But trade looks, curious glances
wonder about other dances
consider places we might go
placid lakes where we could row,
A wooden boat on a sunny day
I know a place across the way
wine and cheese, bread and space
I look again at your face,
You smile but say not a word
we exit there with the herd
up the steps with the masses
escape the toxic subway gasses,
You walk west, and I walk east
a missed chance, uneaten feast?
I think again, and turn around
but you’re nowhere to be found,
I stop to have a beer, and think
about the odds that two might link
wish your name was on my phone
but finish my beer, walk home alone,