The Boy with the Rainbow Sticker
Gabriel Duncan

I saw him walking by
Flying solo, Rainbow stripped
I saw them while he passed
And dipped, below the last-horizon

I fantasized of stopping him
Not knowing what I'd say
I prayed for something witty
Maybe more than a simple hey

But I lost it
So I watched him
Pass by me everyday

His eyes were perfect emeralds
Hidden by his hair
His strides were long and confident
He passed by me unaware

But . . .

Sometimes it was a bike
Same plastic, rainbowed stripe
Not caring what others might; think
He, pedaled by me
Without a blink,

He . . .

Smiled once
It made me swoon
My head spun so fast
I couldn't move

I damned myself daily
Dejected by my insecurities
More scared of first contact
Than failing miserably

Every night I dreamt of things to say
Pleasant conversation
Accompanying subtle word play

Hey! I threw it out,
What's that sticker all about?
Seemed lame where,
Directness seemed profane

I woke on a cold and lonely Friday night
The script, it turned so slowly
I stayed up until I saw daylight

I couldn't keep my hands from trembling
My fingers almost slipped
And ripped the note
I planned to send him

When I knocked
The answer came
The gentleman had moved
I went deranged with sadness

Madness bubbled up
Wasting time by longing
It was obscene, I couldn't stand it

He passed by me everyday