Fingertips

Did you feel it
The shame of what you did?
I did
I wished I bit my tongue.
Did you feel the wrongness,
That you had no right-
I did
I wished I’d “minded my own business.”
Did you know
The way your action spread hatred?
I did
I didn’t want to hurt your feelings.
Were you embarrassed?
When I said “that’s not okay”
I was.
I wished I could disappear.
Did you really think
Linger on your own words?
I did
I thought you might be right
(Was I being too sensitive-?)
Did you regret your actions
Wish you could take them back?
I did
The moment I reached over-
The moment I displaced your cruelty-
Replayed so many times-
I still pass you in the hallways,
Every Wednesday
And I wonder
Do you remember?
Have you understood, yet?