here.

waking up to a different ceiling

there is an absence of familiar sounds

that were once so foreign.

two years ago i heard trains,

a year ago, streetcars

today—my neighbor's wind chimes, passing traffic, and bar flys.

sure,

i still think of things

and people,

situations,

shit I felt and did

but god damn

does that feel so far away

the air is lighter

the opportunities

more tangible

have i changed?

absolutely.

am I more comfortable?

in a way.

but in the end

all that matters

is progress.