3's

We were walking, somewhat aimlessly
mainly, I guess, just so we wouldn't fall asleep again
Most of the weekend passed without us even being aware
curled up together on the pull-out couch
but here we were walking off
the fancy bread powdered with sugar
stuffed with cheese
covered in syrup
walking in 3s, but not in a straight line
not military style, not in one pair and a single
just walking.
Her in front, her stride confident
she made it obvious what she had, not the other way around
Him behind me, his keys on his belt loop
jingling with every step
at first annoying me, but then becoming necessary, as I found myself
stepping in stride to the beat.

The houses were nice, but I never felt quite safe in Memphis
I'd felt safer in East Lake,
standing on a train platform in Woodbridge,
in the woods alone, on any given night
But Memphis didn't seem to mind my hesitance
I saw it in the eyes of the homeless man, poised on the corner
he didn't mind my fear, he got full off of it

But as she drug her trash can from the street
-still in his view-
the giant #2 painted on it
made me nervous for her safety.