Modern Science

I saw you today -
for the first time in what felt like years -
and I made the realization
that I never got your voice out of my head.
Somehow, I felt sick,
felt infected by the chemicals in my brain -
a psychological science,
one that I could never hope to forget.
Yet still I remember
the mask you told me once was worn,
and you assured me
that, underneath it all, you had a heart.
I never understood that,
couldn't quite figure out why you'd hide sincerity -
under dirt, of all things -
so I pushed it away with other sordid memories.
Then I saw that charm -
for the first time since I wrote you goodbye -
and I couldn't ignore
the way your hand portrayed similar recognition.