I saw her 

Standing alone 

in The Art Institute 

of Chicago. 

Sandwiching herself between 

The Bedroom and The Drinkers. 

Trying to make herself 

as small as she could. 

 

Fluorescent light beaming 

off of pale blue eyes 

capturing her sunspots, 

crow’s feet, 

ageless beauty 

 

For a moment I posited 

that maybe she’d enjoy 

the company. 

For someone to ask 

what she thought 

of his time in Arles. 

Then, we could find ourselves 

Sandwiched between 

The Bedroom and The Drinkers 

just the same. 

 

As I stepped to approach 

her eyes held with mine 

and she motioned her hand to 

The Bedroom 

“Isn’t it lovely?” she asked 

in emphatic hush. 

I took my eyes off her, 

traced the floor panels’ lining, 

and reassured her that 

it was. 

 

A polite smile, 

A “have a nice day,” 

A moment after in which 

I found myself 

Sandwiched between 

The Bedroom and The Drinkers 

For the first time. 

 

Tonight, I’ll go out 

to a bar with some friends. 

but in my head 

I’m still there 

Standing alone 

in The Art Institute 

of Chicago 

wondering if I looked as beautiful 

as her.