Columbia campus,
first, Friday night of March,
slight rain teasing pavement,
soft lamps guarding pathways,
tall windows of Butler Library
housing bookworms,
a few high heels escaping early to the bar,
a few sweatshirts returning from the gym :
an urban scene, yet a sudden reminder
of Geneseo.
Sitting on ancient steps below the statue
"Alma Mater"-- straight from undergrad
to grad, i'm at a new awareness :
i've sailed an ocean
since i last spoken to you... to him...
to them... and to the God no one believes.
Floating down these steps, about to jump
on the train home, i caught sight of myself,
at Fall Brook, picking up a lost rock--
slyly igneous-- opening an anthill to the air,
to rain. to sun! to leaves. to snow.
to planting seeds. to smiling.
to no one owing me anything.
All of those sore throats between us,
it is okay. with Loisaida two dollars and
an hour away. and no need for Godspeed.