New Coat

I take the route I took the day we met
it isn't sentiment that takes me past
the marble pillar where I leant
and took one last look at my face.
Coincidence has brought me from the train
and crossed me over roads and here I am
walking to the bar where once
I'd arranged to lunch with you.

What month was it again?
I'm surprised I've lost the date. I pass
the bench where once we smoked
those herbal cigarettes.
It's drizzling today, I'm in a coat you've never seen
and I'm walking like I walked
before
whatever left me, left.

I raise my eyes and see the space
that, that day held the shape of you
the shape that's come to be the shape of love.
Walking through the air that holds
our first, awkward embrace
I break the strings of atoms hanging there.
Inside, shake them off.
Drape my new coat on a chair.