Fondness Now---For Nelly(2001)

Fondness Now

--for Nelly

It was the day

that we drove to Tuxedo

up the 17 North

and we stopped to eat pizza

and you convinced me

to leave without paying;

they were so unaware,

preoccupied with motocross
and racing things.

You got up
to use the bathroom

and then slipped
out the back door.

I watched you
start the car and 
then I scuttled along
and we went driving
up the 17 North

to cliff dive
where the spot

on the ledge said ‘jump here’

spray painted next to it,  ‘Pink Floyd’

and I forget
what color it was

painted in but I am sure
that it is up there
even now.

We made love
before the bugs eyes
and the waterside

and walked among
that hum and quiet
in-between the highways.

It was that day,
I remember it.

I remember you so well now,

Your nervous laughter
and your music.

I regret not thinking fondly of you,

for so long in that period that

came after us and now it’s gone.

I am still
the same but I am not,

still gentle and hiding a sorrow

and perhaps you know
what I mean.

It was that day
that we went driving

Up the 17 North

to little tucked away Tuxedo

And all my pizzas now are paid for
with the fondest memories of you.