3000 (4828 km)

in the absence of light
to know hardness just below
riding two wheels is flight soundless to the wind

i tore down off-broadway
as if my day warranted exodus
past homes preparing for rest where
there were a few porch lights accompanied
only by the flickering red and white
of those on the flats

other riders took with me a bold hard line
on the grid and towards the bright glazed tower spires
reflecting twice their stature in the sheltered bay
i knew from a newborn memory was there
a glass shard in an arboreal vastness

i am three thousand miles from home
(perhaps soon just four more blocks)
and the tug pull of old losing ground to
the new has commenced

with sadness the space between
my two homes will never fold

I SAID, YOU ARE GODS

pittsburgh

our city was a rare beautiful that time of year

freezing rain shrouded our ancient hilltops

from view for days but that day

held only a patient cerulean sky

i took the long way that night

after the hue faded so

i might witness the remaining sunset burn

and its crisp cast igniting halos above everything

as if it all bore a presumed magnificence

i would rather call than write you

to let you know how seeing you

would have made my tomorrow perfect

but my absent patience brought me whole

instead across town to zulema street then

just as the sky went urban starless black

people as in new york cop shows

during segues between scenes

were out on their concrete walkups

loitering as if time was no matter and

as if the weather had turned gold for good

as i locked my bicycle to your front stoop and

dialed your framingham number still new to me

wishing the wind

learning cypress mountain