Sister's Pickle

[Amélie]

I could stay right here

And give back the boy his book

But if I stay right here

He'll think that I'm a nun

And I am not a nun

He'll think that I am chaste

And I am not that chaste

Or I could run away

Leave his book on the shelf by the lube and the lingerie

But that means it's over

Whatever this is, and I

Really think I should wait

Though it's hard to articulate why

Or I

Could stay right here

And shake this habit off

Just stay right here and say hello

And say my name

Say: Here's your book

And: What a place

And: Hey, let's keep in touch

But that's way too much

It's hard to go unseen

At least in this instance with so little distance between

Me and the boy and his book and the shop and the– wow!

I take a step to get out but my feet forget how

Now it's me

Just me against the door

This isn't what I thought

Although I think I want some more

But not right now

Now I need to go

I'm not finished with the boy– I mean the book!

So I will hold him– hold it 'til tomorrow