this little existence between the houses of mount royal

here is the big dipper 

and fire burnt lips from

that time I showed up 

unexpected

and your family sang

in a language no one else 

remembered. 

You said to stop talking

about being understood,

when you felt broken

and ego bruised.

I spoke of white whales 

and you made the words 

into a game. 

I'm afraid I embarrassed you 

by showing up. 

I'm afraid we'll never 

get to walk together again

and point to the stars and say,

"look, there you are."