If I moved to Paterson, would I meet Laura
of my own, and if so, what are the chances
that after the summer she wouldn’t turn out
to be Monika? I guess this is a futile question,
as not only am I not going anywhere near there,
but I actually hardly ever leave the house.
Perhaps it’s not strange to be careful around fire
after burning your hands, but when does caution
turn into cowardice?