A Moment of Posing for a Photograph

Amid the parade of unfinished undertakings,
in the middle of a stolen moment,
left alone among the others,
we lean out of the window
to glimpse the blurred figure
of our confidence, hiding
behind a tree in the distance.

And, left to pose without it
in the middle of a moment given as a gift,
amid waterfalls of noise,
amid the din of chatter,
kept safe from touch,
shielded by the invisible wall
of our all-forgiving smile,

we step back slightly
without time noticing.
Slowly we turn our heads
without the day moving on
and slightly purse our lips
in a grimace of
embarrassed regret
that begs for someone’s pity.

Just for a moment.
For one earlier moment.
Before time had stopped,
brushing from its lapel in annoyance
all our aims.