The air is dense with ambiguities.
Conversations advance, carefully,
cautiously disinterested.
Wary words are chosen.
Questions hanging in between
are carefully unspoken.
Closeness is rationed, carefully
other interests intertwined.
Chance contacts are evaded.
Margins unexpectedly diminished
are carefully regained.
Eye meets eye in recognition,
hesitates – then moves along,
seeking chaste neutrality;
then stealing back to meet again
carefully, and smile.
— Christine Rigden