the more they change

in the late night

walking

into the old bar under M street.

down the spiral

steps

to where the music

roared,

where the drinks

were poured.

she'd see me on the last

step

coming in

and have a cold beer waiting

with my name on it.

we hardly knew

each other,

barely friends.

never a word outside the bar,

no call.

no dance,

no kissing in the alley

where the cars

were parked.

and then she was gone

and someone else was

where she stood

for so many summers nights,

things remain

the same, the more they

change.