Waking up next to another stranger
The sadness and regret rushing in
Not from the actions of last night
But knowing it wasn’t with you
This person marks the twentieth
And just like all the other ones prior
I can’t help but stare into their eyes
Trying to peek into those windows
Each with their own stories to tell
I know more there than I do elsewhere
Some were about four years younger
Others were almost thirty my senior
The pigments of hair and skin varied
Mostly it was one set of eyes next to me
A few times it became a pleasant two
Yet each and every single time in bed
I gaze into those irises of different colors
Trying to replace, or forget, your own
Searching for that similar compassion
The familiar bright soul that was in you
Even though you never laid here before
The tension in-person was so palpable
Everyone around believed we did it
I’m sure we both wanted too as well
But we never did and then you vanished
Leaving both of us with that What If
And it sent me on this carnal quest
Each one only a temporary experience
While I gaze into their eyes each time
Mesmerized by the ring of their irises
Reminding me of the one on your finger. . .
Novatourist 