Swelling Skys and Full-Frontal Goodbyes
I watched the road as the sky above the Thruway
Swelled…and the clouds struggled to hold back all
The weeks of polluted fluid waiting their turn to
Form and drop, onto car doors and in Solo cups…
On the balcony where I’m already late to celebrate
Another one of my friends growing up. Something
About this drive that I’ve made before, after the late
Shift and in the middle of winter. The flurries swirled
But never stuck to anything. The wind picked up, but
I kept my heater turned high and retained all feeling in
My arms and legs. And the couple moving in, I can just
Remember them as kids…lighting joints on the stove
And never knowing their limits. Now the girls I talk to,
They’re all going back to school. Finding their cars full
To the mirrors and their joy stretched out a few more
Years. I read all the psych articles about how we are
And all our shortcomings made worse by all our fear…
In thinking I was different, I’m indifferently clear about
Just where I’m going, when I’ll own and give up the rent;
When I’ll move out from underneath my parents. For now,
Another season is going…washed away by thick rain. I’m
Out on that balcony anyway. Lit up like it’s my nightly fate.
