In Sidelong Glances

Lives that haven't worked out
as planned or hoped for
Something unforseen, a blindsiding
along the way to expectation
You see it every day on the metro
walking down the street
at corner tables where life
can't be found on the menu
in any of four languages

The vacant eyes of plans gone wrong
or no plan at all
Measurement against too long
too tall, too fat or thin
too poor, too sad, unloved
in a world of lovers
But we're mostly seen in sidelong glances
from just across the room
in perspectives poorer yet

It's not the reach, the length of arm
the skill for gathering amiss
But the nature of us all at work
a lingering sense we've come up short
By whose standard, who set my goal
if not my own wanting heart
and who can put right what's wrong
if not my voice, my mirror
relaxing the lines that etch my face