Canal
I can’t believe
how far away you are
on the other side
of the canal
even though
the sun is setting directly in my eyes
I can still barely make out
your face
and there’s not even
the slightest chance I would swim
to you through the water polluted
with bones of dead Jews
and GDR escapees
but the thing is I don’t need to
sit right next to you
when the birds chirp
the sunlight warms our skin
and the warm brings a smile
after a cold winter
in appreciation of the blooming
Spring.