the thin white light inside

[vern.silver]

'i waited for you,' she said, 'two hours freezing in this stupid snow' - she
clutched her purse in gloved hands - wrinkles at the eyese showing
anger - down turned mouth clenched thin - hair wet - the curls gone
where the flakes would land and soak slowly into

he watched the snow fall - thick wet heavy flakes - not a single memory
amongst them - not a single thing that mattered - piling up - thick - wet

'i waited for you,' she said, pulling the tears back into her eyes poisoning
her smile - standing in thin black high heeled shoes - shivering in her wet
red wool coat that reached to below her knees

he did not speak - just shrugged his shoulders - standing beside her - turned
slightly away - watching the snow accumulate - on the trees - the roofs - the parked
cars - the clothing of others

he wanted to look at her - the small white face - green eyes - red hair darkened
by the melting snow - couldn't - clenched fists in his pockets like a shiver through him

he found himself watching their reflection in a store front window - snow falling
between them - waiting for the image to absorb into the thin white light inside

he shifted his weight from foot to foot - feeling the cold in his toes