God

God

is the memory of walking
with you on Sheridan Road,

discovering a new chain cafe,
maybe Starbuck's.
Do they serve bagels at Starbuck's?


We had stood
by the still waters
outside the Loyola library
talking--


where, as a freshman,
years earlier, I studied biology and math
for the exams, never learning
you had been born.


Now, you were with me.
I would not want.


That must be why
a vague reference to god
in a book I was reading
called out


to remind me to give thanks
for your goodness and mercy.


Joseph Somoza