another universe

in a different world we’d fall in love.

you asked why i was sitting on my stoop drinking and sad

we’d share a few small talk “i hope your okays”

i would tell you the truth

you would tell me yours

i’d offer you the bottle

we’d sit and talk and drink

the sun would come up

you’d tell me you have work in a few

i’d invite you to come the two doors over from where you normally have dinner

you’d tell me what time you get done with work

i’d smile and start to mentally clean my apartment

i'd make a lovely dinner

we would be in love

in this universe however,

you’re just the stranger that walks by a sad girl drinking on her stoop in the middle of the night

you make eye contact and feel the need to ask if she's okay

you share a few sentences of condolences

i say thank you and put my headphones back on

you walk into your apartment

and i look two doors over