{ for zoe }

I thought of you as I glimpsed the sunset through a small aeroplane window

Straining to catch any part of light to prolong the last day 

As I left you on the corner of union square holding back tears as we parted on jovial terms

Hugging a little too lightly because to linger would be to remind us of the going and leaving 

So instead I took $100 out of my account for no reason at all

And walked with determination across third to second and then second to first and I felt an excitement of something 

Draped in mid-afternoon sun 

As we crossed paths for a few hours then retreated like ebb and flow 

But I remember you as clear as day 

I stared at the ripped-out book excerpt of a sunset that you gave me somewhere between first and second 

The numbers blurring as my memory fades but your eyes are still so clear 

And I wish I could see you again 

But I always thought leaving was easier than staying 

Because a piece hasn’t been ripped from me yet 

I am just a moving string that will come back eventually 

I’ll walk across second and first and third or between them all remembering you galavanting your way through the town stopping me to point out that there’s a bird sitting on a fence and I love you for that