Browsing at Night

Sometimes when people say no
Excuse me, no, I’m sorry,
It’s a companionable

Leaning against each other
So that neither falls over.
That’s what you said in a dream

To a fellow customer
In a bookstore who reached for
The same volume as you did.

You both said, no, excuse me,
And you both said, no, you first,
And then the gentleman asked

If we both say no, then what
Is it we’re really saying?