la chute

getting on with your life
means watching from the side
of the road
while the bus
i meant to catch
makes sheets of wind
slap my skin
and before it hits the stop light
i can decide to run
run run run

(on clear days like this
i have an easier time
remembering the
way we once were
flying kites from the rooftop
shoelaces tied to the grate
an anchor to prevent a run too far and
too fast
whistling quickly above
the kites darted and begged
and pulled us
please follow us
please follow us
just one step more
and oh ho no
we'd cry
not straight from the roof
and we'd spit watermelon seeds
down to the street
wondered if they cracked in impact)

and the bus drew away
farther farther
and pulled recklessly
into traffic my body alight
strung and silent
taut and potent
watching your life pull away
with diesel speed
wondering how much i'd risk
to fall
to follow