pi & anne

She walks past me, up the stairs, then turns to call me by my name,  and I remember the sound of her voice. Slightly eager, trembling in the higher notes. I know her, but the name is gone. Oh, hi! I grab my bag, hold it tight at my left side, and cover my arm. We exchange the pleasantries people exchange after more than ten years apart. The steel railing cools my hand.

     dew in a line alinealine

     the cold draught
     of air conditioning
     drifting boat 

     blue/black ants
     where the sun rays
     touch

She talks about her work, her family, and what are you doing? I hesitate before I answer that I'm retired. After some seconds her ...out of health reasons?

     one at a time
     the sleek crow gulps
     pieces of bird

I just say yes. I dissolve into thin air.