What Are They Waiting For?

What Are They Waiting For?

The little face stares out at me

from the faded poster

in the front window of the Tops Market,

partially obscured by

an ad for Downy,

and one for L’il Debbie’s Snack Cakes,

Buy one get one free.

Stephen. His name is Stephen.

Quick math tells me

he’s been missing three years.

Makes him nine now.

This would not quite

be his face anymore.

Time goes on.

The poster is faded, curled at the edges.

It needs replaced, updated.

Stephen looks straight ahead

and will tomorrow from the same place

with the same face.

Passive, calm,

he waits for us

to find him.