Calgary

Calgary, if only
leaving you was as easy
as taking off clothing;
things like places
seem so inconsequential -
after all, places are
just spaces.
But, rooted in each
memory,
is the feel of you
in the background,
colouring scenes
and warming skin,
sending hair-teasing winds
and humming with talk.

So many firsts.
So many loves.

My first underpaid,
manual labour job.
My first day
at university.
My first drunken
Halloween debacle.
My first under-the-bed
unexpected kiss.
My first best friend
turned boyfriend.
My first, coldest,
camping trip.
My first messy
roommate fallout.
My first long-awaited
bachelor's degree.
My first breakup.
My first career
decision.
My first step into
knowing what I want.

Part of me thinks
moving away
will be easy because
I have never had a home
and never will admit
to wanting one,
but if ever I had a home,
and if ever I dare to say so,
Calgary was the closest thing to it
and I miss so many somethings -
someones -
feeling like I left them
back there.

This one is for you,
Calgary;
and also for me,
for taking a piece of you
with me,
wherever I go.