Furtive Glance

Sunglasses perched
next to a water bottle
a steaming mug
of coffee
her back
turned to me
eyes
glued to the computer
on her lap
with practiced indifference
as her long
ponytail
waves
with every slight
gesture
oblivious to the effect she has
just by being

her presence
adds a prickling heat
which cannot
be dispelled
not even the air conditioning
removes the heat
she arouses
as the others
in the room
sip at their own drinks
trying to ignore
trying to forget
trying to not see
Aphrodite as she
does whatever
a goddess does
these days

she glances over
smiles shyly
feigns interest
for but a moment
as she takes another sip
of her coffee
returning her mug to the table
her eyes to the screen
the moment forgotten
at least for her
but not for him
she has no idea
that the one she smiled at
thinks she loves him
thinks she wants him
even though
she doesn’t know
his name.

For the victims of stalkers and other forms of violence. No woman should feel unsafe.