325

Because if they meant it every time
there would never be a place so heavy
for remembering you
like under the only lamp post on the street
that dies dimmer each time you walk underneath

324

I never felt the tension in a
beaten old table with three legs

323

Don't make me know you
before I move out alone
someplace I want to go.

I couldn't help but hear you speak
to the doorman on the bottom floor.
I'd never have known he played the saxophone
and you were dressed like you had someplace to go.

322

I'll admit I was angry with you
for so quickly becoming so old.
You've had to look at me too
since we've been alone here,
but I hated you for your dirty fingernails
hunched shoulders and lines in your face
that I haven't seen on my own.

321

And later what she wore
would be a pile on the floor
next to your pile of books
and pile of sheets and pillows
in the dark.

But that is years from now
and though you know that it'll come,
for now, you look at her more on days she shows her knees
than when she shows her arms.

320

Staying still is only neutral
if you can't move.
Do you keep your feet planted
when the wind tempts you?

Well you struggled to stand
for so long with the ground
pushing up at your feet.

319

In the seat next to you
her legs were like tree branches.
She must be some kind of unattainable
when she looked like your sister
every time you thought to move
your hand from your thigh to hers.