Surveillance

He turns her on her stilleto
Sharp enough to drill her shadow
Into the concrete. A stern gaze
And then he drags her away—
Her shadow trailing like a train.
I wonder how she is his woman
And why she remains.

When she returns to the corner
Pursued again by the man
Entrenched with anger
I mistake her for a memory
A replaying of the scene
Focus: the gentle white skin
Exposed by her backless dress;
His black trench coat flapping;
How the traffic never stops

Twice and then thrice
The scenery is reeling
As he twirls her in this tango
It must be a movie
But the repetitions of this anger
Concentrated on this corner
Feel more like compacted time.
An entire year of fights
Flash before my eyes.
I sit in the idling car
Waiting for your return
Absolutely horrified.