Looking Back For One Last Time Poem by Shilesha Johnson

Here I am
Just another person to this lady
And yet it’s something about her that drives me crazy
But not in a sexual way
It’s just something about her that makes me think back
To when I was in another place
Every time she crosses by
For some odd reason I find the urge to cry
It’s something about her that makes me sad
And every time I look at her I feel so bad
I wish the best for her and everyone she may know
I pray that even though we are strangers she is not treated cold
And then it hits me
Her scent is the very same scent my mother use to wear
And when I realize that for a second it gives me a fear
I want to just hug this little old lady
So that I could feel close to my mother
Maybe even feel like she’s near
So when she smiles at me and starts conversation
Instead of ignoring her
I smile as if theirs a celebration
I respond back
And I even allow myself to laugh
And as I’m walking away to say goodbye
I try to hold these tears in
And try so hard not to cry
But it seems so very hard to do
When every where I turn it’s a constant reminder of you
A lady that I never came across had your very same scent
And before I looked up I thought you were around me
Just like you should have been
But then I realize that it was just in my mind
And before I walk out of the door
I look back one last time