CSPAN

Mackenzie Moore

I think I miss watching CSPAN
walking barefoot
and stealing GOP yard signs
from the houses of kids
who wouldn’t tell me
to my face they thought
I had a shit attitude

I think I miss the man
with his mandolin on Broome Street
how I could cover 15 blocks
in 8 minutes — Docs on, always—
how 5th floor walkups
and 3 metrocards
and 2 sets of keys
gave me purpose
as an amoeba
of a city letting me stay

I’ve got the goggles on
for the zip codes
where I’ve worn grooves
that I can trace like zen gardens

But when you say goodbye
to all that
you also sign off on
being an amoeba
ready to mold to crevasses
so small they just might
swallow you whole.