Corner table By the window Half a latte Growing cold While I obsessively Scroll Stirring foam Like it's a clock hand Buying time I can't postpone Doorbell chimes You step in Search and Wave at me With recognition Walk toward me Like an old friend I kill the screen Take the earbuds From my ears And put my phone Down You pull a seat up At my table But I feel ten Years away You say you've changed You're different now I hear your voice My shoulders brace You promise you Won't cut me down Won't twist my words Won't take up Too much space I'm learning how To face you now You talk about Apologies Counseling Epiphanies You say"I was cruel I know I crushed you I was young And full of myself" Every sentence Like a replay Of the times You made me small How you laughed When I was honest Pointed out My every flaw You pull a seat up At my table But I feel ten Years away You say You've changed You're different now I hear your voice My shoulders brace You promise you Won't cut me down Won't twist my words Won't take up Too much space I'm learning how To face you now Same lies I've fed Myself for years Play on a loop In my head You're too much You're not enough Same contempt Dressed up as tough You're so small Why did you say that Straighten up You say"I swear I've changed this time" Same sarcasm In the silence Same practiced smile The mask I wear While you watch Every move I make I stare at the seat Across my table But I feel ten Years away You say you've changed You're different now I hear your voice My shoulders brace You promise you Won't cut me down Won't twist my words Won't take up Too much space I'm learning how To face you now I hear your voice My shoulders brace I'm staring at My own face As the glass door Catches my reflection In the frame There's an empty seat At my table Silent noise Same quiet dread I put my earbuds in And listen to a song I wrote instead Your mouth is moving But I'm choosing Who speaks now I touch the rim Of my empty cup And decide to fill it up From here on out.more