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)