Not as many things last through generations
as they used to.
I just passed a Mexican place
I ate at back when I was new to Mexican
when I was new to the neighborhood
when I was new to the scene
when I didn’t know so many people
and I took what kindnesses I could.

We’d been to a show at Luna Lounge
and got to talking outside of the place
then drifted to the corner
for like an hour
when she said,
“You wanna get something to eat?”
I did want to get something to eat.

San Loco was around the corner
so we stopped in
and sat with chips, salsa, burritos and drinks.
They didn’t kick us out for a long time.

She died some years later
in childbirth.
I didn’t think that happened anymore.

I never met the kids.