in a waiting line,
my mind drifts to you
in your bed
arms wrapped tight
i feel
the hair of your chest
between the shoulder blades
of my back

those kisses
you stole from me that night
in the street
beneath the yellow light
felt like silver fishes
swimming from my mouth to yours

so, it's my birthday
and i think of you,
dead friend

it makes me lonely

dog barks in the valley
my friends don't hear it

i wonder
what his name is

i used to think the sidewalk was the way
until i stepped off and climbed a mountain
i mined my heart from the rock,
dusted it off,
and opened it up
i was met with a thousand kisses
and a thousand steps to climb