Warm rain in the halos of streetlights
Distracted thoughts, guide me along,
Then I hear footsteps behind me
Splashing rain on cobblestone
Suddenly I feel a sense of fate
I think I know that familiar pace
I turn to see who it might be
There’s a shadow figure and I can’t see the face

Is it you?
Are you there?
What do I do?
Are you there?

Soft breeze warms the edge of winter night
Is this that someday - when we finally talk
The one day I swore I wouldn’t fear
But now the longing has joined me on this walk
I’m not prepared to try to talk to you
What would I do? What would I say?
Or maybe it’s me that you pursue?
The night whispers “no”, then says “this is the day”

Is it you?
Are you there?
What do I do?
Are you there?

Legs are feeling weak
Should I try to escape?
Or turn and walk to you?
Maybe that would be a mistake

Sidewalk feels you rushing to catch up
My heart echoes like a pounding drum
Then we both arrive at the corner
Stop for cars, where did they all came from
Finally I turn to look at you
You’re lost in thought, what do you see?
Your face looks older, yet still the same
You quickly cross the street - never look at me.

Is it You?
Are you there?
What do I do?
Are you there?

Now I see her shape is not quite right,
Her spirit isn’t filled with your soul
A stranger who clearly is not you
A ghostly double, miscast in the role
A moving picture made up in my mind
Produced by longing to be lost in that belief
The rain tells me, I wasn’t ready
The wet street smiles - seeing my relief

Where are you?
Are you there?
Out there someday…
Are you there?

© 2025 Matthew Costello