Frequent Voyeur

Your tears flowing
like streams down your cheeks
cause my own to fill with tears
as I felt my heart breaking
at the death of your beloved and
the loss that you have just incurred.
Devastation!  You felt so lost and
alone, and your vulnerability touched me.

Helplessly I watched,
unable to prevent the tragedy that
was already in motion.  The murderer
was there, in your room! Yet, I could only gasp,
clench my teeth and hold on for the
roller coaster of emotions which I knew
you must be feeling as you listened for
any noise or sign that would warn you. 

Shock, horror, sadness, and
finally acceptance that your fate had
ultimately been altered forever.
Was there any escape?
Like a voyeur I witnessed your
catastrophic events and could only
gaze, spell-bound, and grateful
that this was not my fate.

I was a limp and soggy dishrag.
A puddle of sentiment
teeming with compassion at your
stalwart resilience. Your goodness
and resourcefulness overcame adversity.
I admired your courage.

Then at intermission I got up for popcorn
and was set to return to my seat
to empathize with you again.