For Jay

Thinkin' of an old friend
one who used to meet me halfway
in cookie-cut suburban hoods
just to finish my sentences
Now he waits for my phone calls
follows delayed airline itineraries
stares at white collar clocks
and posts courier new compliments

Keep your eye off the second hand
minutes don't waste what is (h)ours
seconds won't keep you out of first
dynamic handshakes are not pendulums
Just pick up these cell rings
tell your sister she was right
stare down spring-snake ghosts
and forget that it's all nuts

Chinstrapped up and helmetless
stern lips hiding smiling chuckles
that can help our friend through this
this quiet spine of shivers
Conversations on sleepy nights
with friends closer than I knew
hours I thought would never end
watches dark with closing eyelids

Forget about Tom and chained legs
along with ticking thoughts
Remember combined thought creations
and gaining from what is lost
I'm looking forward to the next brick
as we slide down only one
Thinkin' of an old friend
and marking bricks just halfway