Watch me in my element 

with my eyes pointed away 

not noticing you, just as you intend

because I could run from 

the look you give me. 

Capture me with your timing, 

aim your intentions at me,

& suddenly I'm mounted as a trophy; 

eyes caught in a moment over & over, 

never moving or climbing off & away. 

Or see me as I'm meant to be, 

appreciate my fleeting beauty, 

more beautiful because 

you don't see it like me. 

& in that moment you don't 

steal the air out of my lungs in pursuit, 

you just let me exist. 

& then I look at you. 

I'm getting older;
lines on my skin are fossils 
of moments I've lived