In Shake Shack, a little ahead in the queue
I obviously noticed you
And equally you didn't see
Anyone else, especially me

Your Nordage was strangely new, pristine
It matched you, tidy, perfect, clean
I wondered briefly if you'd like to know
Then you reached the front and ordered to go

You wore a tiny gold loop earring
Really you could have worn any old thing
Your ponytail recently chopped or new
And I ordered my junk and stared at you

Maybe this is all too lame
But NYC and you are the same
An absorbent mix of panic and home
Strong, independent, confused and alone