I have songs on my phone
that remind me of my father
I listen to them on the longest rides home
in December,
They keep me warm
when my car is ready
To surrender
To the winter
And I have songs on mixed CD's
that remind me of my ex boyfriend
I listen to them on the
way to class at nine in the morning
They tell me that I'm worthy
of love, even if Love wanders
There are songs on the radio
that have woken me up
five days out of the week
for four years straight
and songs that have cradled me to sleep,
just the same

I don't need you to sing into my voice mail
or string together notes that sound
like my hands feel
But
If you sit beside me long enough,
I'll hear your laugh in
a Bright Eyes song at
Seven in the morning
Just when I feel like
I can hardly go on
You'll surface beneath my chest
And sing into my lungs
Until I catch my breath...
*If you sit beside me long enough