Carrie Padian

I can’t stop looking at these pictures of you

taking in every pixel

the play of light

and dark

the bend of brown around

your eyes, staring

straight into mine

innocent

of the wanting

waiting there.

memorizing

as if my knowing

means anything at all

as if one day I will stand up

and say I know

this face

better than anyone

and they will let me take you home with me

as if you have

no say

in the matter