When I first
asked, she wouldn't tell me her name,
because she was getting a new one in a week.
You can change your fate here along with a new name.
Walking like a child,
turning and twisting in her long skirt.
Hidden sneakers within the confines of its elipse,
peeking out only when confronted by steps and puddles.
In the bar where she worked and we had met,
her fresh face remained a child's,
but not her eyes.
Amber eyes with dark threads reminded me of a tiger.
Iced down beer and straight whiskey,
joy spilled, and i smiled.
Someone told me that yesterday was the first day of winter
and I believed it, I took it all in.
She was here, she stayed all night.
I had set the alarm, but woke up half an hour before
it could ring.
She woke up while I was making breakfast.
I didn't see, but could hear her sounds,
stretching, scratching, there was comfort in all of them.
Eventually out of bed,
she wanted to help.
She wanted to help with the cooking, I said no.
I suggested she put out the plates on the bench I used as a table.
She marveled about the window,
and the view from the 12th floor.
"We should eat at this level", as she stood up, "so we can see out into the city."
She sat on the bench, looking outside as she cut through her eggs.
I stood up to smoke while drinking the coffee that she had made, also looking out.
Who knows what we saw?
When my cigarette was done, I returned to the floor and finished my eggs at the bench.
I sat on the floor looking up at her.
Today was actually the first day of winter.
And it was no different than any other day.
