That moment when
faces meet
in a station.
That moment when
eyes lock
in an airport.
That moment when
a spark of recognition
is drowned
by the unbearable embarrassment
of potential mistake
which will inevitably lead
to one of the following scenarios:

One. She will wave, and be wrong, the weight of her mistake
rising to her face only to sink back into her stomach.

Two. She will wave, and be wrong, the once again unfamiliar face
will wave back, creating a stalemate of uncertain niceties.

Three. She will wave, and be wrong, the once again unfamiliar face
hiding in the shared embarrassment and fear of the unknown.

But at that moment
in the borderline place
of crowds crossing paths
she will not wave
and be wrong.

Words will not be said
smiles will not be exchanged
the world will keep on turning
oblivious to the fact
that at that moment
two people did not meet.