Nostalgia

It is a face you vaguely recognize,
some aged version of a childhood friend.
Before the miles of differences
and half hearted attempts at connections

Unbearable to try to follow in
her narcotic saturated footsteps,
you settle for the anonymity
of a casually aimless exchange.
Reminiscent of little girl play times

When you both played at a flooding creek side,
stroking the backs of scuttling crawdads.
No knowledge of the cruelty of their world.
And you can't help but give a wistful smile,
nod your head as you continue along.