Downtown Again

the snowflakes float and never seem to settle
I float and never seem to settle
the fog hides the mountains and the lake
the city looks dismal today but I’m not
people march down the street to free Tibet
the clerk gives me a discount because I’m nice
my pot of tea runs out too fast
pieces of fruit and leaves float forlornly at the bottom
the sun hides behind a thin screen and hints at warmth
the blonde lady with the foreign accent likes my earrings
I think I sat next to the bassist of Phish in a teahouse
and didn’t even know it
he was chanting sutras and eating pita with hummus
the woman served my tea in a golden pot
when I walk down the street
I don’t make eye contact with anyone
it's warm enough out that
the punks and hippies are on the streets again
with their cardboard signs and their pleading looks
the tea I drink has valium plant extract in it
I brew two teabags to forget about you
I don’t know if I’m supposed to be here or there
but I know I’m in the process of going somewhere