I should’ve seen it as a shadow of the future.

Even if I had, I would’ve done it all the same

But after you said yes, we walked across Manhattan

August twilight winking down 5th avenue

Throwing shadows from the trees of central park

Across the stomping horse carriages

And yellow cab lines.

I love you, you know.

So much all else is crowded out:

The heat lightning means nothing to us

For us, the summer storm that will bring big wet drops

Laces the air with the excitement of change

(I remember your click clack shoes and jingle jangling bracelets: in front of a silver looping ribbon named Contrapunto at 3rd and 53rd)

My breath is short with possibility

Kissing you in the rain-scented air

And we ignore the storm above as it gathers power

It will show us how small we are

How big our hearts are too

Still are.

Always will be.

Enduring shadows of the future

Whatever they hide.