May the Night Be Kind

“it’s my birthday” she said,
sodden eyes scanning the street

the older man next to her,
with an unhealed scar on his chin
showed me he was waiting
for her caution to wane

i let her use my phone
gave her a hug and a kiss
asked “you okay?”, already
knowing that she wasn’t

getting on the bus home
i changed my mind
turned around, looking
she was nowhere to be found

may the night be kind