My love proclaimed her leaving

And we proceeded to live out

That terminal year.

 

We watched a madman race his turtles near the river.

We witnessed an on-stage soldier grow mad protecting his Bomb.

We laughed at the mad ravings of stand-up comedians.

But we avoided the source of true madness:

Asia.

 

Asia.

My love hikes Asia.

It is far, but it is further.

It is the first place of my love’s going.

It is the first earthly-place

Of her journey away from me.

Although that journey began

In her mind and heart

Long ago in Brooklyn.

 

Brooklyn.

I live here alone.

​

 

                                                                                                       -  Jeffrey Eisenmesser, 1987