Only When We’re Away

It's been over two and a half years since I saw him last. Since that summer in the mountains, cleaning toilets, climbing mountains, philosophizing on smoky back porches, watching storms roll in. And now we meet again, in another surreal world, this one made of concrete instead of stone. Highrise apartments instead of pines.

He's taller than I remember. His head pokes out above the crowd passing through the gates at the train station and I wave.

* * *

On the Anniversary of the Timely Suicide of a Legend

The bar was packed. Too much for me. Used to the private seclusion of our nook, used to conversations of music and film. Our secret dwelling now overrun. Feeling invaded, I rolled my eyes at the military boys yelling in the valleys of the noisy landscape for a song everyone can hum. The band in front kept striking their strings in a euphoric caucaphony. And I didn't really care if they were any good, or if I didn't recognize any of the tribute songs. I just wanted to see the kids rock with their hearts. I wanted righteous noise. And everyone just sat and nodded, unmoved by the violence of the broken notes. And the band stood facing the wall. And the screams became like whispers and the thump of the drum kept me nodding.

* * *

Cherry Blossoms Like Snow Flakes Falling

Awake at 5:30 to head out of town. While the sun still slumbers. Too early to be alive. Somewhere unseen little birds chirp at the coming light, as we, like zombies, trudge to the corner to hail a taxi.

Asleep on the bus with everyone else, we beat the traffic to the town where the trees announce the arrival of Spring.

Already losing their grip, the trees release their delicate blooms. The wind dances the dying petals to their final resting place. We run around and catch them in our little boxes and take them home to keep them in our memory. For soon they will all be gone. Until next year, when the bolted gates of the winter palace are again flung open to reveal that beautiful princess of Spring wearing her cherry blossom dress.