Melissa McEwen

Strangers in Love

We don't use
the soft and mushy words
of lovers. 

We could
easily
be mistaken

for strangers
waiting
for the bus 

because the space
between us
on the bus stop bench.

There are ways 
to show the world
that you are his girl —

a ring, a kiss,
his arm around your
shoulder, waist.

Then
there are ways
like this—

when he knows
how you like
your coffee

and buys you one
without you
asking

or when you
get on the bus
and go straight

to a seat
because he always
pays your fare.