I.
Such a moment of sweet tenderness
her small frame in his lap.
His hands are there to hold her,
smooth her hair,
to save her from the trials of both this life
and the next.

Astounding.
Such a sense of true forever there
inside his gentle smile,
forgiving eyes.

That sweet little girl with the smooth brown skin
she lies against her brothers chest
and sighs within the safety
of his arms.


II.
And I remember.
There's a hand that guides my own
I'm learning A from B
I'm throwing back a tennis ball
I'm learning how to cook.
There's a wrestling match on my mothers bed
and I'm there biting and scratching
and losing
and laughing.
I am eleven years old
I'm watching him drive away for Vancouver
his things all packed up for the ferry.
I am Sputnik
Motormouth
Kiddo and Squirt.
I am there
I am happy
immortal.

III.

Listen.

Inside my chest
a heart that beats
without rhythm.

09/15/2005

Posted on 09/15/2005
Copyright © 2024 Trisha De Gracia