but then
you trip
stumble upon discarded shackles
feel a hand on your shoulder
and turn
see the face of commitment
the face of comfort
the face of fear
looking in your eyes
snowballing minutes into
hours clicking
boots upon glistening cobblestones
catcalls and taxi doors
“why don’t you just get in the car,”
he says
fists swing in fruitless defense
and a cab rushes through
deserted streets
the flashing yellow lights
remain witness
an unspoken dialogue
ensues


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