Not Such A Pretty Shade

I see them walking along sidewalks hand in hand
Stealing kisses in quiet corners
Sharing romantic smiles across tabletops

An arm draped protectively over a shoulder
Hands clasped tightly

The are young and old
Some teenagers feeling that first blush
Others who’ve weathered the years together
Men with women are most common
But also many women with women
And men with men

Couples lost in worlds of their own
Seeing only each other
Sharing on every possible level

It should warm my heart
It should give me hope

But all I can see
Is the bitter green
Of my envy