I want to go right
you go left
red flutter
on the horizon.

I ask for coffee
you bring tea
fiery flashing
in my head.

I am distressed,
vocal, your silence
vexes me.
semaphore
in scarlet begins.

I ask yes or no,
you answer
maybe, if you answer
at all.
red flag.

I apologize,
you don’t know
how or why.
red flag.

I think you can
change,
you won’t.
red flag.

I think you will
change,
you don’t.
red flag.

I wonder
how many
I can step over
failing to fall.

I wonder
how many
it takes
to make me go.

by Susan Smith