Evening benediction

Not metaphorically, just highways and traffic

Small Talk

Tell me about the weather where you’re from
and let’s exclaim on how warm it is today, or how cold
or how the sun seemed to rise twice, once over the horizon
and once over mountains of clouds

Let’s talk about the route we took to get here
not metaphorically, just highways and traffic
and, yes, that’s right, that’s the fastest way at rush hour
but have you ever tried route nine past the pond?

I want to know where you got that jacket
and if you always knew you looked good in cool colors
or if you went through an awkward yellow stage like me
sallow in the florescent light of middle school

And when people scoff at small talk I wonder
how anyone could think that a beautiful day is small
or a compliment that eases you back into your own skin

Or to find you’ve traveled the same roads
through the same towns, with, at least today,
the same destination as at least one other soul

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