Silence by Tim Williams

Silence calls for you in the night
Like the old woman who
Screams obsceneties at the back of your head
While you wait for the price check on the 1% milk
And you eye the cute safeway clerk
As she checks you out
When you finally get the courage to ask her out,
You're already on your way home with the milk
Whose expiration date is one week ago tomorrow.

Published in Second Essence, 1999