long time no see

the shadow of my desire follows me recklessly 

endless, tied, stuck under my shoe

it's only there during morning walks

when the wind is cold, the air an afterthought 

of rain and grass-stained shorts

during lunch 

there's a rice grain on the side of my mouth

my thumb tries to find it foolishly

during the walk back home

the key misses and i scratch the doorknob

nobody opens the door on the other side