The Other Person

I’m not the before, I’m not the after
I’m the in-between
I’m the little corner where you feel utterly dismayed
Where you feel a little betrayed by where you are and where you’re going
I’m the dusty sign leading to great things and the clean sign leading to little things
I’m the get-go and the get-going.

I exist from the moment your palm meets your chin
I’m not the now
I’m the forever
I’m everywhere you go, although never have I moved from my spot.

I’m the little corner where you feel lost
All things meet me, all things pass through me
I don’t guide you, I don’t keep you
Sometimes you stay a while, sometimes you stay longer, sometimes you stay forever
Sometimes I meet multiple versions of you simultaneously
Sometimes I’m stuck with a version of you

I’m not the before, now or after
I’m the in-between
The crossroad, they call me
Now that all protocols are observed
The next time you pass by, say hi.