He gazed forlorn into a time

I couldn’t follow

Past, present, or future?

I do not know

I am barred from entry

I, however,

snoopily, I might add,

followed the line of his gaze

Touched with such deep sadness.

The bags beneath his gaze

filled with what?

stolen sleep beyond his brain’s reach

regrets from books of memories

he regularly peruses.

Now, he’s tucked his nose

beneath the neckline of his hoodie

“Marvel”, his hoodie says

and I do

Stealing glances at him

writing about him

on this shaky E train

I wish to say:

One step at a time

Do what you can

What will be, will be

Face the sun

Plant the seed of hope

and water with optimism

Do not fret stormy nights

or flooded days

Be resilient, never scared to start anew

and all will be well.