I came back to the Good Times Bar tonight. Lights on, stools empty. Nobody. Exactly like the first time.

Standing in the doorway, I realized I'd come here on purpose. Not wandered in. Returned.

Somewhere along the way I stopped passing through this city and started having places in it. A river I like. A lot across town I've stood on. This bar.

The empty stools used to feel like the city forgetting me. Tonight they just felt like mine.

One smoothie by the dark window. Then back to the glow.