I look at
the coffee cup
you left behind.

Went to
California
to find yourself.

To go home
and sit in
the sun.

To find the
rambling rose,
that shining one.

Its got
a pencil,
number 2 grade.

I remember
being a lad,
taking SATs,

the ones
that would
measure me.

I filled all
the circles in.
A,B,C sometimes D.

I didn’t know you
or knew I would
run into you.

You didn’t know me
or that you would
run into me.

You were a
wonderful friend,
Lily.

Hope you
are happy
in Cali.

You are still
a friend
to me.

So thank you
for this
coffee cup.

It still
reminds me
of you,

makes me think
a brighter world
is out there.

Sometimes
you have
to leave

your desk and chair
And head for
the palm trees,

head for the
opposite sea,
for the city.

Head for the
glowing embers,
of the fire state.

Head for
the stars
we celebrate.

Head for
the 405, or
the Empire State.

Do something
different,
move with faith.

So when I look
at that cup
you left me,

the one you used
to drink your
morning coffee,

I remember, Lily.
You are a friend
to me.

 

Jason Wright is the editor and founder of Oddball Magazine. His column appears weekly. His third book, Train of Thought 2: Almost Home is available now at the Oddball Book Store.