CEREMONY
after Philip Levine
You stood there, watching the train depart
smoke and mist mixed
to create a winter’s moment in summer,
How was it that you had ended up here?
with goodbyes in your pockets
and regrets left on the platform,
There was no way to write about it
no enough paper to make it worthwhile
not enough words to cover up the dreams delayed,
The stains of wishing were all over you
thinking of shores by the Atlantic
calling you back slowly,
back home to skyscrapers
and the smells of hamburgers and back alleys
filled with chatter and shared cigarettes,
Each piece of your history fell away
each mystery left as is
hidden in stampless envelopes,
Was that it?
Was that all?
this half hearted ceremony
to recall what was,
And the mist rose and surrounded you
covering up your smile and tears.
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