a toast: the new leaf

here's to forgotten winter
to miles of erasure to a month of dulling the point
that cut us open
to the loss of loss, shuffled out with
busy sweeping steps and late night bus wheels
and bicycling through these wet streets

here's to my smell gone from your lips
my name your lover fading like a dream
i stand with cummings' ghost
my hand outstretched to the winner
accept all happiness from me

here's to no sleep
lying in the dark next to him
my thoughts wrapped around you
and that far gone room
the sweet light on white linens
now changed with the unfurling
sycamore leaves

here's to pocketing a thread
of that space i occupied
to my cells lingering in
corners and cobwebs beneath the bed
i stretch my leg out long against him
and reach back over a month and all the miles
to remember your skin your smile

here's to your skin thrilling to another
to the deep release
spreading across my chest, flaming my cheeks
silently, alone in this wakeful night
i find the way to sleep finally

here's to finding music that you might
be listening to at this very moment
and playing the songs over and over
"i'm in love with your daughter"
here's to the end a beginning and
every syllable of goodbye