A Lonely Walk

The town square is alight with wonder.
Though night has come, the trees sparkle with a magical glow.
Red brick marks the path of sweethearts and friends.
A girl walks slowly through the gentle lights, bundled in a warm jacket.
Dark-haired and sweet as the sunrise, she makes me smile (as she ever does).

She smiles as well, and for a moment I hope.
When she and I come close, she doesn't stop. She walks past, into the embrace of another.

I take a chilled breath, and keep moving. The square at my back, I steel myself against the cold and wonder, "why?"