IT ALWAYS TAKES A WHILE TO GET STARTED

It always takes a while to get started in the AM when the earth begins to warm and the streetcars thunder down the roads once more.

It takes a while to get started when everyone in the city comes out in their summer clothes and we all have honey vision.

It takes a while to get started when the joggers and the walkers and the cyclists and the drivers start to go in all directions—east, west, north, south—all heading somewhere.

It takes a while to get started when the automobiles start to form a procession and the roads become a triumphant sunlit parade, shadow and light dancing across this page.

It takes a while to get started when dogs of the finest pedigree look at you with their pug eyes before their velvety nose dovetails to the ground, sniffing for invisible treasures.

It always takes a while to get started when I see you cross the street and walk towards me with our morning brews, your eyes crinkling upwards, and everything begins again.