Astronaut

Your orange jumpsuit
takes me by surprise
helmet under your arm
and messenger bag
swung across back

I smile so wide I can hardly see
escalator steps stretching
in front
tripping
I want to walk behind you all day
spectate the trail of smiles following

I wonder
when you were little
did you wish to fly those shuttles,
before the Challenger made you cry in front of the TV?

Do you long to trade
your two-wheels whizzing
weaving down 2nd avenue
wet pavement
deliveries to law firms
for trips to
different galaxies?

Or did your roommate
simply stumble across
the iridescent outfit
last week
at the thrift store
for cheap?


Influence: Wells Fargo Building, escalators, Friday before Halloween