Unspeakables

I walk into the train and graze eyes with a young man who looks slightly afraid. I want to tell him: "You can look. It's fine. Don't worry. I will mean nothing to you."

I lean back in my chair, fazed by his earnestness. I want to ask him: "How can you know you want me when you don't even know what the steam will smell like after I shower?"

I turn to leave after I've released him softly into his comfortable life. I want to remind him: "You were adventurous once, and ravenous."

But I don't.