Long Weekend - Oct 8 2022

 

Long Weekend

Oct 8 2022

A long weekend

and the city has emptied out.

It feels almost livable, this way;

like a village

where you wave at passing neighbours,

cross the street

without looking both ways,

never wait in line.

Or how I imagine it.

As if size

could somehow improve on human nature.

As if small places

were immune

from rivalry, jealousy, and minor rifts,

the conflicts

and politics

of little ponds

and self-important people.

The smouldering resentments

that spiral into vendetta

and violent tit-for-tat.

At least here

you get be anonymous,

go about your business

unobserved.

Yes, no one cares,

and you might die alone

in a damp basement apartment

you can't even afford,

only to be found

when your decomposing corpse starts to smell.

But at least they leave you alone.

Or you find your people here

and feel at home.

The big smoke

that's big enough

there must be someone for everyone else.

Just you and her,

when all the rest

have left for the country

to close up for the season,

hunt and drink beer,

or gush over autumn leaves

on long desultory drives.

All by yourself

in a cozy apartment

with the phone turned off

and the curtains drawn;

in bed all afternoon

doing what lovers do.