To the Teenage Girl Smoking in the Doorway

I see you

Life hanging hard on your lips

Eyes red from tears or drugs

Hate radiating

  for me

  for life

  for this cool fall morning

I am walking into a local coffee shop with coworkers

I am here for a conference about higher education software

You don’t care

After ten minutes I walk out of the coffee shop

Warm designer drink in my hand

My group jaywalks across the street

  smiling

  laughing

  looking forward to the day

At the curb I turn to look for you

You are leaning in the doorway

Facing me

Cigarette still in your hand

I nod

 Wanting you to know I see you

You frown

Turn from me

You don’t care

I don’t blame you