Awkward Eye Contact

In the miliseconds as you approach a stranger

Your brain calculates:

Do their scuffed shoes plus my torn sweater

Equal a full 2 second gaze?

Or should I glance away first?

He is a man...

Subtract my uterus from his masculinity,

And I subvert my gaze,

But this is not new math.

Recalculate.

Then again, if I stare too long,

He may think I am interested,

And that gut is obvious.

20 pounds too many plus my uterus =

I who deserve the lasting look,

But I don't think I want it?

Multiply my shame for judging his weight

By the shine of his teeth as he gives me a confident smile.

He says, "Hi how are you?"

I nod, subvert, and blush.

And he probably things that I am blushing over him,

But I am embarrased that I cannot even solve my own equation.