Expressionless

The smooth skin of the lake
Ripples with every breeze that strokes it.
Beside me, you stand
Expressionless
Gazing out on the icy water.

I take your hand and tuck it into mine.
Try to pull you away from the view
That threatens to steal you away from me.
As we walk, you free your hand
To straighten your coat
And don’t place it back in mine.

I walk beside you, tuck my empty palm
Into one empty pocket.
You turn your face away
Just slightly
And pretend to watch the waves
Eating away the shore.

Your face is hard
Expressionless
I feel a tremor of fear,
Because I cannot read it.
It is like an unknown language to me,
Where I can see every word,
But only guess what it means.

As shadows lengthen, you sigh,
And turn your face to mine,
Your smile doesn’t quite reach the corner
Of your lips
But it is a smile.
And right now,
For that, I am thankful.