I shuffle through memory for
a single midnight. What did we do

at school? Redeem gold tokens
at Swings ‘N’ Things? Cleveland led

me to lake by leash. We listened to Feist
among lilacs and buttercups. We lived

near the airport, never flew. I shouldn’t
keep money for unusable transactions. What

a concept, after the drinking started. If darkness
is inevitable, please invite me to your party.

(originally published in Dear Reader, Summer 2021)