I Didn’t Recognize the Man Before Me

Red leather booth. Teary-eyed girl. Angry man.

Restaurant packed. Tears spilled. Face flushed with embarrassment.

Half-hearted apologies. Hurtful comments. Mixed messages.

Unrecognizable. Unbearable. Uncertain.

Panicked mind. Racing heart. Fight or flight mode.

Name calling. No love. No care.

Please stop. Please stay. Please leave.

Make up. Forget about it. No conversation.

Heart shattered. Memory tainted. Mind scarred.

Can’t forget. Need to talk. Unfinished.

Red leather booth. Gray shaded day. Purple bruised heart.