The joy of meeting
after an extended time apart
quickly turned to discomfort
as words pierced the air between them
landing precisely between insecurity and self doubt.
Comments made casually,
“by the way…but he really didn’t mean it”
were released with the skill
of a camouflaged sniper
patiently waiting to strike his mark.
An awkward pause ensued
before the two went their separate ways.
The sniper content that all was as it should be,
the receiver struck with recriminating thoughts.