Letter To Cornwall

do you remember this place by the ocean? these coastal mornings with their Arena air the wind from the crab dock almost strong enough to be swept away, running from growling raccoons randomly reading names on boats- The way I remember The day you said the word traded, how it changed us, to me, you brought me here in your little red car I knew it wasn’t romantic Dave passed out in the back seat You chugging back a litre of water Like you had spent the night in the Saharan Even the car smelled hungover Over there by those big rocks where couples watch the sun rise Just a few feet from where I am now You calmly wrapped your arms around me The way waves cradle the sand Then said “it was no big deal,” And my sun set, turning me dark The way you rationally explained it was “part of the game” told me you had done this before. Stood on a late spring morning with your arms around a girl and told her that you were going home for the summer like you always do and regrettably wouldn’t return with the fall. Then left maybe on a greyhound or maybe In your little red sunfire. I think about that girl left back in one of those little Saskatchewan towns and wonder if she’s writing you this morning too, I know about her because you came to British Columbia on a trade and now I wonder if there is letter on its way from the town in Alberta that sent you to Saskatchewan. It’s kind of comforting to know that I’m not alone To imagine all the girls left in limbo Writing letters curled up by fire places, from small town diners, Empty arena seats, front porch swings and, beaches I’m watching the boats now. Ships come in and make the harbor beautiful for a moment and then sail away. The team still skates everyday at five I picked Dave up from practice We had a mountain burger And a couple of black Russians I should tell you it ended there But we came down here And skipped rocks into the ocean Laughing about old times When he was the third wheel And when he took my hand I let him; it felt right at the time So I’m not alone, but lonely Is there a girl in Ontario who has already fallen?