Small World

she was shaking and talking
 louder and louder
 each sentence was sifted
 to a very fine powder
 her face was wet and tight
 her grip was cold and light
 a strong wind could blow you down
 i heard myself say
 word up sister
 a strong wind
 could take me away
 i said how long have
 you been at large
 they told me you were stashed
 last time i asked
 she said i've been out now
 for all of three hours
 i just resurfaced
 and here you are
 i must admit
 that it has been hard
 so far
 i said skeletons are fine
 your closet or mine
 and we took turns recounting
 the details of lost time
 and when we had both
 admitted it all
 we threw our heads back
 and laughed until we cried
 we laughed because the world
 is absurd and beautiful and small
 there we were
 washed up on the curb
 as the rush hour traffic
 went out with the tide
 and i was aware that
 with every word spoken and shared
 i could see her shaking subside
 i said sister looks to me
 like you're going to be fine