San Antonio

　　by Naomi Shihab Nye

　　 Tonight I lingered over your name，

　　 the delicate assembly of vowels

　　 a voice inside my head.

　　 You were sleeping when I arrived.

　　 I stood by your bed

　　 and watched the sheets rise gently.

　　 I knew what slant of light

　　 would make you turn over.

　　 It was then I felt

　　 the highways slide out of my hands.

　　 I remembered the old men

　　 in the west side cafe，

　　 dealing dominoes like magical charms.

　　 It was then I knew，

　　 like a woman looking backward，

　　 I could not leave you，

　　 or find anyone I loved more.

　　-