She, I See Poem by Thabani Khumalo

A LONG WAY DOWN FROM WORKPLACES,
WORKS A LADY IN A RETAIL STORE.
I SPOT HER THERE EACH TIME I BUY
AND WONDER HOW I COULD BREAK THE ICE.
STILL THIS YESTER-NIGHT I HAD A DREAM
AND FELT A SMIRK OF ELATION AND A SMIRK OF JOY,
THE SAME AS I GET WHEN I GLANCE ON HER
LIKE I’D SAY THE SWEETEST THINGS TO HER EARS –
SO HONEY-SWEET HEAVY TO THE HONEY-COMB.
I FEAST MY EYES PENDING THE INSTANT TRUTH,
THEN COMES ALONG A GUY WITH DOUGH
WHO HOLDS HER CLOSE AND PRESS’ HER TIGHTLY
TO HIS HEART OF STEEL AND BRANDS HER SOUL –
FROM AN ETERNAL FLAME; HIS FURIOUS HATE.