CBT

"Imagine" she says
"you're on the street
walking along alone

it's a quiet high street
Sunday morning
or weekday afternoon

just the prams-
and-pensioners crowd
no mistaking you

when across the road
you spot a friend
pure bolt from the blue

and so you wave
but miss their gaze
just left to stand and stew"

she takes a breath
and then she asks "now
what if that happened to you?"

The whole room nods
they've all been
on that street

and so have I
but I guess I'm just the one
who can't wave back