We used to meet br on this corner br in the same wind. br It fought us up the hill br to your house, br blew us in the door. br The elevator rose br on guests of stale air br fed on ancient dinners. br Your room smelled br of roach spray and roses. br br In those days br we went to bed with Marvell. br The wind ruffled sheets and pages, br spoke to us through walls. br For hours I used to lie br with my ear to your bare chest, br listening for the sea. br br Now the wind is tearing br the building down. br The sheets are rising. br br They billow through the air like sails. br br White with your semen br holding invisible prints br of the people we were, br the people we might have been, br they said across the country br disguised as clouds. br br Momentarily they snag br on the Rocky Mountains, br then rise br shredded into streamers. br br Now they are bannering westward br over California br where your existence br is rumored.