Kathleen

I miss your laugh
that sudden burst of validation
and the way it looped around me
and pulled me closer to safety

Manhattan’s lights flicker in your eyes
its rhythm matches your step
as you weave through its streets
one part Pittsburgh, one part Poland
entirely, beautifully you

I wait for you to walk back through the door
so I can tell you all the little things I saved up
the ones that only matter
because I get to tell them to you