Escapril 24: eye contact

i was in a room full of elderly woman,
who looked at my pityingly

i’m young, yes, but still brave

the woman opposite me caught my eye,
as i looked up from my book

she smiled, as if knowing something that i didn’t,
as if to comfort me and my lonely soul

she left before i did, and caught my eye on her way out,
good luck, stay well, she said,
and i, unable to speak, smiled back