she was shaking and talking 
louder and louder 
each sentence was sifted 
to a very fine powder 
her face was wet and tight 
her grip was cold and light 
a strong wind could blow you down 
I heard myself say 
word up sister 
a strong wind 
could take me away 
 
I said how long have 
you been at large 
they told me you were stashed 
last time I asked 
she said I've been out now 
for all of three hours 
I just resurfaced 
and here you are 
I must admit 
that it has been hard 
so far 
 
I said skeletons are fine 
your closet or mine 
and we took turns recounting 
the details of lost time 
and when we had both 
admitted it all 
we threw our heads back 
and laughed until we cried 
we laughed because the world 
is absurd and beautiful and small 
 
there we were 
washed up on the curb 
as the rush hour traffic 
went out with the tide 
and I was aware that 
with every word spoken and shared 
I could see her shaking subside 
I said sister looks to me 
like you're going to be fine