delay of a dead winter
when prospects of warm
feature across familiar ground
the steps taken with unflinching certainty
perfected in decades of practice

where sneakers and ***** jeans
defined endless afternoons caked in dirt
from the backyard
where we shared every dream we've ever had
and stole each others secrets for eternity

broken lips unleash frigid air
waiting for the train
to some temporary employment
something to save a little money
while this future still waits to give an answer

the sound of your soft voice
singing into my ear as you played with my hair
while our bodies felt like one
and we ignored time as long as we could

in the wilderness of old graffiti
staring you down, waiting for the Path
shined shoes trembling
refusing to accept this

it's the next day and the one after
the job ends
the waiting begins
you find yourself in a familiar room
wondering how you ended up here