I cried out, “There she is!”

The crowd turned as one.

But they saw nothing.

She was gone.

They shook their heads.

Then looked at me

like I was either a charlatan

or a fool.

But I swear to you,

I saw her.

She had long blonde hair.

A pale face.

Slim body.

And she wore a long white robe.

Her feet were bare.

She appeared out of nowhere

and disappeared the same way.

The crowd dissipated.

A few even thumped me

as they passed,

purposely

though they made out

like it was just an accident.

Eventually,

I was all alone.

That, of course,

is when she reappeared.

I wasn’t surprised.

Merely disappointed.

I had not yet

learned to appreciate

what was mine alone.

If others didn’t know,

I reckoned,

then how could I.

She beckoned with her finger,

a lip-splicing tongue,

The moment

had need of so many.

And I was the only one there.