Stood on top of my hill of childhood memories,
Stars between clouds matching sodium and mercury lights strung out below,
Walked past houses of former girlfriends —
Sandy Graves, Tamra Fain, Candy Barr —
I thought of you.
The locally universal you,
You who inspires my weight loss,
Who makes me feel better about myself,
Willing to open my thoughts, my heart and soul, to the world,
Risking real as opposed to written friendships.

Without you, no Seamus Heaney;
Without Seamus, no me.

Know me, like a miniature gnome (gnomee) or gnomelike (gnomey).

In the dark, memories of school-aged friends talking, sages smelling of sage and cafeteria food.

Overpowered by mown grass,
Ubiquitous train whistle moaning,
Scented candle wax ribbons unwinding…

Oirish eyes watering.

Silence.