The Checkout Girl

I used to make fun
about how you smoked
until you turned the tables
and I nearly choked.

Sitting by the river
on a Sunday afternoon
one worrying had this
all happened too soon.

Still in school with our
whole lives ahead
one of us wishing
that we were already wed.

The other had dreams
they knew wouldn’t be fulfilled
unless this relationship
was permanently stilled.

So, you decided it was okay
to break my heart,
you ran to a stranger
to make a fresh start.

Those dreams you had
never did work out
now working all hours
behind the checkout.

Do you ever think back
and wonder about your actions,
as you wait on customers
to complete their transactions.

Do you wish you could change
what you dreamed?
and instead have settled
for that one in between.