Youth Of Today

Matches

Damp earth screened by Goretex
us four, a circle, a square, a kite,
prodding, blowing, trying to coax
to life, twigs too wet to burn.

You flicked the last match,
a moment of hope in my eyes.
We had walked to the offy,
you had brought me here.

You placed your iPhone on the grass,
the light, the sound filling the void.
I didn't recognise the singer,
but I said I liked the track.

You looked me in the eye,
you had directed the screen
to measure my reaction.
You studied my action.
I froze.

And you turned away,
spoke, and stood, and
held hands, as you two
went for more matches.