35/365

years ago
while living in
kuala lumpur
before we had kids,
i took a beginner’s acting class

the details
are murky—
eccentric instructor,
beautiful grounds,
equal parts
pride and insecurity.

one session  
we were asked to stand
about twenty feet away
from a partner and stare into their eyes,
as we slowly
walked toward each other
and then stood there
for an agonisingly long time
a foot away
staring.

i first noticed the lone tear
on her cheek
when the magnet pull
had ceased and the repulsion began.

repulsion is such an ugly word
but what else do magnets do
when they are too near to each other?

after some time,
we were both sobbing
speechlessly as we concocted
narratives about the other.

we turned around.
walked back to our original spots.
carried on with saturday.

today whilst listening
to a gaggle of comedians
talk about being funny
i felt i needed something,
new.

put my name on a waiting list
for an improv—
i believe it’s called a—
troupe.