Some Thing I Saw
When You Were Not Looking
a sadness as you laughed
a look old soldiers
permanently scarred by war have
an elegance (you clasped
your skirt as you climbed
the steps) equal parts
weariness
and endurance, a stubborn
grace
under pressure
a smile deep & oh so knowing
as if to say this too, this brief joy,
will pass, and then you turn aside
look askance, lower your eyes
momentarily before unflinchingly
facing whatever music might be playing
in the quietness of your heavy
voice glows a tough candle
determined to flame
even though life is no
gentle breeze
a dance of raw emotions
flickers across your face
as i move away
your shoulders shake
from the back i can not tell,
are you laughing or shuddering
why am i saying this
i don't know, i think maybe
it is just my way
of trying to comprehend
the bittersweet beauty
of something i saw
when you were
not looking...
—kalamu ya salaam