When it comes down to it
the thick of it
the skull-scratching thick of it
the thick that you can set a raft in and sail through
when I’m scouring my brain
for something to waste my time to write about
on the train heading to Coney Island
just to be heading somewhere
when my sneakers are skuffed with gum
that could’ve been yours
I think of you

I heard you’re living somewhere else now
Brooklyn
somewhere on East 17th street
with the new wife and family
with the new dog you ironically named piggy
with the car you took to leave me
which ironically takes her to soccer practice

and when it comes down to it
the thick of it
when I lose my mind
I remember how you found it
how you smelt like peppermint
but never had it when I asked

the gum was peppermint
you never did throw out your trash
you left me on the sidewalk

now I’m at Coney Island
Thank God you’re not