It’s really okay.
She hasn’t gone far
Only another town
a little north of this one
Not far at all, just
another place
to go. I think
it will be good for her
I’m doodling small circles, like
distant clouds
on the cover of my notebook
as these thoughts bubble to the surface
Been there myself once
Cold winters there, that
I remember well
even though I was only there
one late-autumn afternoon
It was long ago, before
I even knew she existed,
before where she went
ever mattered
to where I wanted to be
Not that
I’m admitting anything
It’s really okay. She hasn’t gone far
I’m writing that
on my notebook cover now,
instead of circles, distant clouds,
as if to convince someone
it’s really okay
She hasn’t gone far
the lazy photographer 