let the light in

I listened to it everywhere.

Subways. Headphones pressed tight.

Smoke clinging to my coat

even after I’d stepped outside.

Walking blocks for no reason.

Standing still and calling it walking.

Sitting alone at a bar

with a drink I didn’t want

but paid for anyway.

Sometimes I was waiting for you.

Sometimes I was just making noise

so my thoughts wouldn’t surface

all at once.