'Responsibilities' was the new word
I put my hand out for her
she held a baby carrot
I thought of her young
black childhood. I squeaked
onto the wall, 'Sensibilities'.
She told me that was the kind
of snack she got as a kid, no sweets
we finally got to shake
hands at the end of the day
I said my goodbyes, descend
twenty-seven floors in the time
it takes to adjust my pant cuffs
walk out onto Market St
with brisk spring energy
