The narrator recalls meeting a woman named Karyn while working on a poem for class, though they had never spoken before. He runs into her again and asks if she wants to go for a walk in the park. Karyn says "don't be a stranger" as she leaves. The narrator's thoughts drift in different directions as he thinks about Karyn and their interaction. Even though things haven't always been great between them, the narrator fondly remembers the joy of being close to Karyn in the past.

1. She had introduced herself when I had been working on a poem for one of my classes.
I knew who she was--but until that point we had never spoken to one another.
Well,
I was kind
of driving
around--
--I was
just wondering
if I could see
you guys--
I remember her walking away--she said:
Take care,
Steve.
--and maybe
Don't be
go to the park
a stranger.
or for a walk.
quot;’don’t be a stranger,” you said.
I don’t think you minded; my marbled
warbles, sizing up the taste of your sizzling
name on my incisors, “strange
or stranger,” my thinking beside itself;
besides, I was thinking stranger thoughts
bye, karyn.
anyway...you weren’t like the anythings
before that I’d tried. Sticking my finger
out, I tested the breeze as you walked
off; ah, yes...you were blown in,
winded from Brazil like a butterfly...
Steve, Daddy?
how many times
have I told you
to call first?

2. I wanted it to be a surprise. This
Can I see Katie? Vonnegut nonsense
again?
I thought
the three of us
You could go for
didn't answer a little walk.
me.
I don't know...
Why
didn't you
call?
One foot
in front of
the other?
Through leaves?
Over bridges?
I hadn't seen you in over two years
You called and ordered lunch one Saturday...
but I knew who you were instantly
You wanted a Calzone... when I heard your voice on the telephone.
...with pepperoni
and
mushrooms.
Why do you do this?
No ma'am!
Our life
Sit back
is not some
down and eat
Kurt Vonnegut
your lunch.
short story,
Steve.

3. Even though things haven't been so great between us, all I ever remember is the adulation of having you close to me.
My heart soared through the clouds;
with your warmth like rays from the sun.
Even though you never let your feet leave the ground.
There were growing pains--certainly.
You kept pushing me away.
I kept walking--through leaves, over bridges--
--until I would find my way back to you again.
You made all that long walking worth it.
When we were strangers
I watched you from afar
When we were lovers
I loved you with all my heart.�
But now it's gettin late
And the moon is climbin high
I want to celebrate
See it shinin in your eye.�
Because I'm still in love with you
I want to see you dance again
Because I'm still in love with you
On this harvest moon.�
“Harvest Moon” - Neil Young