Touched down in Texas—
                      unfortunately?
Nah, it’s been amazing.

Real BBQ with Ava (real-real),
     hours of catch-up,
     the summer warmth Atlanta forgot

     settling easy on my shoulders.

Oscar’s after—
        bar-top banter,
        familiar laughter,

        the kind that makes a city feel *kept*.

Rangers sweeping the Brewers in real-time,
          glued to Astros/Seattle tonight,
                       eyes hopping feeds
         while my heart awaits the *ding*.

“Hamilton: The Singalong” with your BFF—
(Ava swears it’s a blast, been three times).

I can almost hear you mouthing the parts
           I won’t admit I know by heart.

First of six days, and it’s fine—
                better than fine.

We’ll talk after your show (I’m praying we do),
         thread the distance with small things
             until small things feel big again.

I've booked my way back to you: (more than once)
     September set,
     November ink drying,
     October/December waiting on details.

     Believe this— they’ll be booked.

Tonight, Texas tastes like smoke and honey,
         Atlanta hums somewhere just ahead.

Two cities,
    one line between them,
    tugging like a chorus I can’t stop singing—

    Broadway in your smile,
      brisket on my tongue,
                    and us…
                        writing the next return.