The club is packed, pharmaceuticals
Flying free from someone celebrating
A business triumph and feeling generous

I've been waiting for a moment like this
When your defenses are down

I stumble home with friends, hug
Goodbye like it's the last time
We'll ever do this, even though it never is

Do you have any idea how good
You have it? How blessed you are?

The cat greets me at the door
Like I forgot to feed her
Which I would never do

I would give so much for one touch
Of her fur, ten minutes with her purr

I scoop her up and carry her into the
Bathroom, sit her on the counter
While I scrub my face clean

Look at your skin, so clear
No sun spots, plenty of hydration

And then I see something, in my eyes
And I freeze, I can feel heat
Oppressive dry heat like an oven

That's right: keep looking
It takes time to make the transfer

My throat feels parched, my eyes
Are scratchy as if filled with sand
And I can sense ... you

Others have done this, swapped places
It's not easy but it is possible

I feel your hopelessness, understand
Somehow that what is looking back
Is me somehow—but not from here

Understanding is the first link
Compassion is the second

A world like they warn us ours could become
Dry and austere, too hot—on fire
A place I would definitely try to escape

We've always been quick to comprehend
The nuances of things—I almost regret this

Rain starts outside, the cat nudges
Me with her paw, I look away from the mirror
As the balcony beckons, I go out and dance

Guilt is the final link, the one that lets me jump
But you've found the way to block me: joy

It's cooling down, the water splashes around me
As I let bare feet dance away the rest of the Molly
The cat retreats, too smart to play in the rain

The cat jumps back on the counter, this is not 
The first time she's seen me—and protected you

The cat hisses and I scoop her off the counter
Murmuring nonsense words until she purrs
As I dance to the kitchen and listen to the rain