this time last year
it was unusually warm
i watched the rain make trails down the front window at the bar

it's been a long time since i could sit with that kind of quiet
strangers close by minding their own lives as if we weren't all connected

and we were all making plans
or daydreaming of escape
doing something with our hands to keep our minds busy

there's some kinds of sadness that are nice to share. like a hooded sweatshirt walk through the warm rain

as we look in the eyes of a long winter not yet arrived
i'll pause and remember to take a breath while i can