Clouded day, crowded festival
Biggest in the world of its sort, I'm told
Men, women, everyone, giving their all
Relying on the kindness of the crowd
A man spun his yo-yos
While the crowd chanted Yo, Yo
While he balanced on a giant yo-yo
While he spun a plate on his head
And suddenly, a phantom from a past life
There you were, on the other side
And I don't know that it was *you*
And maybe it's best that I don't
I have to wonder if you saw me
Sitting here, on the other side
And wondering if it was *me*
And thinking it's best if it wasn't
And I couldn't see your eyes
Hidden behind those shades
A gaze unforgettable
And I'd have known for sure
And I couldn't hear your voice
Over the music, distance, crowd
A tone seared in memory
And I'd have known for sure
But I did see your hair
A sea of fiery red
Brilliant against the breaking sun
And it felt familiar
And I did see your face
Whatever part not obscured
Details hidden by the distance
But it felt familiar
A phantom from a past life
Appeared suddenly, without warning
Ere the show ended
Disappeared once more
Like a yo-yo on its tether
Returning to its hand
And I almost wished I could catch it
And I almost hoped I wouldn't
(apologies for the code block; I don't know how to do CSS on Cohost, and the poem was more important)