Temporary Stranger


Just some girl 
from the temporary employment agency,
There to replace vacationing staff.

Nothing unusual
Except that there was something 
very different about this girl.

Her eyes were a vacuum --
Holding the emptiness and defeat of the entire world.
Her shoulders stooped with the weight;
Her lifeforce poisoned by this spoiled cargo.

I was unwillingly sucked
into that land of desperation.

Every glance from her 
provoked a shock in my system 
that eminated from the very core of my spine.

Her stare was intolerable, 
but I could not break free.

The day was stolen by the clock, 
and I was unable to speak with her. 

But with no contact other than a glance, 
I became obsessed with this woman 
I had never met before

I could not dismiss this temporary stranger.
I was driven to contact her, 
but her agency would not give me her number, 
nor mine to her.


In my sleep, she found me.
I saw this nameless lamb, 
carelessly sacrificed by an uncaring world.
Never acknowledging her existence, 
nonetheless her demise.

I want to help you temporary stranger.

I don’t know why 
or how, 
or if you even need my help.

I only know that you haven’t left my mind.

I’m afraid I’ll be too late.
Another statistic on the 14th page.

I’d be there for you, if I could only find you.

I wish I knew your name.