I glance about,

Noticing everything

And everyone.

My eyes

Meet a stranger's.

I smile,

And as I walk on,

I wonder.

What was her name?

What did she think of me?

Did my smile

Brighten her day?

Or did she wonder

Why a stranger was smiling at her?

She'd probably—

By now—

Forgotten all about me.

What was she thinking about?

Was she married?

Did she have kids?

A dog?

Did she live

All alone,

And when she got home

Would she make a cup of coffee?

Or was she

A tea person?

Had she had supper yet?

What had she had?

Did she

Eat alone,

Or with friends,

Or family?

What did she do

For a living?

Was she alright?

Was she stressed?

Was she upset?

Tired?

Lonely?

Confused?

Overwhelmed?

Did she need a hug?

And I stop

In the middle of the store,

Trying to remember

What I even came for.