Pen Pals

When eight-tracks expire
and mix tapes click off
albums crackle through
candles burn out
the credits start

some little party lights come on
step-dad walks in ... awkwardly
college friends
christmas cards
bands run their chords
novellas complete
the first kiss ends
totally ends
pen pals meet
but there's disappointment
and there's melancholy
staggering and thorough
especially
from the awesome mid twenties
at the stomaching
that some one thing
will never be the same

to something put it
an era has ended
but it's always true
you