between aisles

they met at a pet
chain store
he could never have her
in real life
but he found its rules
suspended
somewhere between the aisles
of kitty litter
sleep cushions
and dog
chew toys.
“where is the toilet?”
she smiled
she didn’t see
his pimpled face
greasy pony tail
she couldn’t know
his love for music
fear of god
and his certitude
that he is not
of this world.
“hello…
do you hear me, dude?
she sounded
exasperated
not smiling
but god
she was talking to him
really talking
poor, bullied him
she needed him
she knew it
and he imagined a day
he could have her
to himself
in real life
play music
talk about god
lie down beneath the moon
show her where he’s from
laugh….
but she
with yellow mittens on her hands
just walked away
turned and walked away
when all along
he could have told her
the toilet is broken
….if only she’d asked