Moscow

Cold air on my teeth. Breath turns to clouds. Crossing the river. Past the tired crowds. Coffee in my gloves. Plastic bag of bread. Feeding the birds. Like old friends, now you're dead. I love you, Moscow. Even when you bruise my bones. I love you, Moscow. You're the only war I chose. Snow in my lashes. Heart in your traffic glow. I love you, Moscow. More than you will ever know. Blue paint on the stairs. Names carved in the rail. Grandma's old curtains. Smelling like smoke and mail. Shouted two languages. Same tired fight. Then making up. Over tea, deep in the night. You hold my secrets under your stone gray sky. You taught me leaving Doesn't mean goodbye. I curse your winters, still I can't let go. You're in my handwriting everywhere I go.