Squirrel Hill

You got your coffee freshly ground
And your black coat wrapped tightly 'round:
Head and shadow seated with me.
On the stool you got your legs crossed
Sometimes a look like someone lost
In the Cold Grey Morning you see.

The way you eat a bagel is
Like a jeweler working on his
Treasure of lifelong ecstacy.
Little fingers like little tools
Manipulating little jewels
And then the thing is history.

Here in Squirrel Hill let's sit and talk
And when we're done go for a walk
To the Record Exchange we'll be.
Maybe then hit the Dairy Queen
Or the Hobby Shop, has it been
So long since we've played our story?

But no, for now let me reside
Here with you, for it's grey outside
In this moment captured in me.
Passersby are faded frozen
Ghosting toward their destination
Places ever a mystery.

This grey moment caught in my mind
Like ink captured on silk refined
Just a treasure I've kept with me.

Jason Behnke
2004