I’ve told the story of going to an early show
and getting stuck in the corner
wedged in by the seats
listening to your songs
and crying
because I was bored
literally to tears.

In ensuing years,
you’ve gotten better,
I’ll readily admit.
The specter of celebrity covers a great area
and makes your accomplishments
substantial as they are
more impressive still.

When I hear you now
I can confess to weeping
for different reasons.
But there is still that early history
before your crowning achievements
when you were still barely formed
and I can speak of songs of yours
that were not as much
as they would eventually become.

I no longer feel bound by what you do
not in the same ways, at least.