wordsworth

Hey. I’ve been remembering this one moment over and over.

 

I was there with you and your mom in the parking garage

beneath the tons of concrete and steel that hold together 

Ocean View

and you were saying good-bye to your mom 

as she got into the passenger seat

of the truck I would be driving

away from everywhere you are

and your eyes were tracking your friends

as they walked away from us

absorbed in themselves

and heading to where ever 

the fun would take you together

and

 

I

inhaled slowly

deliberately

focusing on the air

expanding my nostrils

filling my belly

and I surrendered 

to the loss 

of you

again

and reached

for the door handle

of the truck I would be driving

away from …

 

and then

I heard you say

"Hey, Dad!"

and 

I saw you

moving toward me

arms outstretched

and mouth embracing

the words

"I want a hug."

 

I’ve got a rainbow ’round my shoulders, and the sky is blue above, and I’m shouting so the world will know …