for a moment, i thought it was you.

i recognized the sweep of your ponytail escaping a bundled scarf. i watched your gait crossing Seventh Avenue just after 10 and walked downwind of your cologne and cigarette stench. i saw your bright pink Dora backpack charging up the Packer steps. i heard your voice ask ‘do we need eggs?’ from the next aisle and your laugh echo across the benches on the Promenade. i spied your reflection, all thrift store plaid and overgrown Supercuts shag, in the window of Cafe Grumpy. and i saw you countless times on the subway, head down and hands buried.

my thoughts were wading through the day’s ‘to do’ list and my senses devoted to the city’s insistent rhythms. but then the familiar was there, and i tried to remember the last time i saw you. 

i should call you later, i think, or maybe i’ll write you a funny facebook message. i’ll find a New York postcard and mail it to you with a Statue of Liberty magnet or maybe stickers, but you’d probably prefer a couple of iTunes dollars and a Starbucks gift card. maybe i should text you, “your doppleganger still lives here!” but you’re always in class now. and i haven’t talked to you in years; last i heard you moved down South.

anyways, thought of you today. if you’re ever in the city, let me know. i’ll see you soon. i love you, and i miss you.