The soon-to-be-wed rabbinical student lay awake in the Crown Heights apartment

The soon-to-be-wed rabbinical student lay awake in the Crown Heights apartment,
Wondering how cramped it will feel
when another body lives in the space.

On the floor beside him 
Is the blender 
That they registered for, 
Near the Seder plate 
From the grandparents 
Who survived the Russian winters
Red agendas, 
And the lower east side paychecks

He wonders how his roommate will react
When she sees the name 
From a different life 
Written in ink
Across his back.

He rolls over


And his alarm clock rings. 

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