Skin brushing against plastic, // then the luminous floor,
Gray spots pulsing, // dancing along familiar streets, across length.

To my left, she hides // her ears under cascading dark hair,
On screen the music plays, // fingers glide across vinyl and needle, digitised.
My eyes capture your absorption, // illusion, silently playing on.

Passion drives those fingers, // tapping rhythmically on tabletop,
I must forget the // distant reciting voices that call,
A casual glance transforms // into lingering tender gaze.
Years ago I ceased hearing their stories, // their thoughts,
Oh, young ears, what sounds // can you perceive that I cannot?

Once enamored, blocking out the rhythm,
Indulging in echoes, // remaining detached.
Until all emotions whisper to me, // numb in this space between us,
Likely I'll wait in vain for her to turn back, // though we share this tedium, this noise,
Perhaps I shouldn't bow my head, // but simply watch until everything at peace
—-everything vanishes.