January holds me close like an embrace from an old friend

January calls me from a California area code and
asks me what I want for lunch in Cantonese

January warms my lungs while I slurp on hot soup shared with friends
in the corner of a Chinese restaurant, longing
for my mom's cooking

January books me a plane ticket to NYC for spring break, anticipating
warmer days that she knows will come long after she's left

January awkwardly laughs on a first date, sneaking glances
at this pretty stranger who reminds me of a new book that's
waiting to be read and memorized

January tucks me in tight underneath a pile of blankets. I ask
her to stay a little longer before she leaves again

I don't want her to go but she tells me she'll be back before I know it
Satisfied with her answer, I close my eyes

Before I'm even awake, she's gone

See you soon, I whisper into the cold morning air all alone