the beginning was calm
you were alone
departed some time ago
you shook the puzzle a bit
and the pieces felt out of place
but you didn't complain about
picking them up

you said you were wired differently
that you can't fall out of love
even when the war came
and we sat outside chinatown
you told me you didn't care about
the water of the womb

you wanted to pack up
and go
somewhere
where the pansies danced
and the girls are tough

where this big ol' house
at the end of the road
is your home
you say you knew

your life was planned since day one
but for some reason
you are not there

but still
with me, sitting

outside chinatown