We begin to chat
of mutual interests
books we’ve both read
places we’ve both gone
but go to together for the first time
our mutual light shows us new things
our shared foundation lets us fly further

there are shadows in our garden, too
where you block my light and i yours
pits where our shadows combine
sad, scary places
no light escapes
our shared warmth seems so long ago

if you and i came so close
and still there are still such dark places
how can i hope for the world?

[Written after attending a memorial for Aaron Swartz (1986-2013), at Yoshi’s Oakland,  25 Jan with Joe Lovano and Esperanza Spalding (1984-), on the happy occasion of the ejection of a rude rowdy.]