Who Are You?

Who Are You?

by M. F. B. Porter

“Who are you?”  she demands.

Silence.

My throat is dry.

“Who are you?” she asks again, softer.

Her voice cracks.

She looks disappointed.

I don’t know what to say.

Her breathing is stifled,

Like something is crushing her.

“Answer me.”

But I don’t.

I can’t.

She looks away,

Wiping her face.

“You know what, it doesn’t matter.”

She starts to walk away.

My body screams to speak,

But my mouth is clamped shut.

I can’t tell her.

I can’t.

Because the truth is,

I don’t know.