For Wayne

I remember it was my second week at ASEB

, back when I was still tagging along Sameer from Texas

, Sameer would always give you a choice,  between math exercises

and just talking, 

And so we would just talk.

I asked you if you had a hope for the week

, or if there was one thing that by the end of the week

would make you happy

(you quickly noted that you know the difference

between content and happy.)

You said you'd like to own a dog

. Your neighbors own a dog, and sometimes

when you visit them you take naps with him.

Sameer graduated and I stopped showing up for a while

, I came back in the spring and saw you sitting by the window

in the sun, a table to yourself with a glass of water, 

a pencil and a piece of paper, 

looking up and outside. 

I asked you if there's anywhere you'd like to go

, and you said you'd like to get donuts.

Your favorite donut is old-fashioned chocolate

, I wrote down that so that I remember

when we finally get to go some day.