Tracy K. Smith - Savior Machine lyrics

I spent two years not looking Into the mirror in his office. Talking, instead, into my hands Or a pillow in my lap. Glancing up Occasionally to let out a laugh. Gradually it felt like a date with a friend, Which meant it was time to end. Two years later, I saw him walking Up Jay Street into the sun. No jacket, His face a little chapped from wind. He looked like an ordinary man carrying Shirts home from the laundry, smiling About something his daughter had said Earlier that morning. Back before You existed to me, you were a theory. Now I know everything: the words you hate. Where you itch at night. In our hallway, There are five photos of your dead wife. This is what we mean by sharing a life. Still, From time to time, I think of him watching me From over the top of his gla**es, or eating candy From a jar. I remember thanking him each time The session was done. But mostly what I see Is a human hand reaching down to lift A pebble from my tongue.