why do we go only half the way?

she watched him, and he watched her;
does she recognize me? i cannot see her well enough, do i know her?
continues to probe his mind for a recollection of recognition...

she seats herself in an opposing seat, they've already acknowledged each others' presence;
it's impolite to stare, glances... wonders...
...i think i know... i think i remember...
now, i remember, she used to get off at the same stop before i moved, at some point i said next time i saw her again on this bus that i'd talk to her; but things have changed, i've moved, and we no longer have the bus stop in common; things have changed, ppl change, i'm so tired.
he closes his eyes for a bit to avoid having to own up to what he said to himself in the past.

wakes unable to doze, assumes a amused smile. suprised, he recognized her after so long and with my inability to recognize ppl; let's see if i am right.
she gets off on Napoleon... yes i was not mistaken, amusement to having remembered brings a smile, but a missed opportunity to get to know yet another person adds an emptiness.

people walk in the public eye, many wanting to be noticed; but once each acknowledge each other, the failure to admit it by means of commitment(though we fear it, for sake of commiting w/o knowing), defeats us.