Remember when
You snuggled in my arms
tiny hands on my skin
and I the safest place
in your Universe?
Remember when
I held you by two hands
and you took toddling steps
and one day let go
Remember when
we laughed at soap bubbles
and tickles on your bare feet
the way the waves came and went
Remember when
you brought me hibiscus blossoms
from outside our house
the sea sparkling behind you
Remember when
I kissed your toes and you
hugged my neck so hard
I was breathless
and whispered that your
heart was overflowing with love
Remember when
a sweet Shepherd dog
lay next to your big boy bed
your fingers safe in her soft fur
Remember when
you started school
surprised me with tears
and holding onto my legs
before you let go
Remember when
you would fold the newspaper
to the crossword puzzle
for me when I came home
from work
Remember when at five
your best friend
was killed on the corner
run over by his school bus
Remember when
you then said that you
knew that G-d was
all the people together
that had ever lived
Remember when
you put on shades and
stepped up into your
Jeep Wrangler and
drove off
Remember when you
shouldered Papa’s coffin
bright white shirt under a
new suit jacket
Remember when
you romanced the college
girl who loved poetry
and had long brown
hair and wore your sweaters
Remember when
you graduated college, flew
across the country to law school,
Coronado blue skies,
and came back home again
Remember when
we went to DC -
you in a dark navy suit
and after swearing in
walked around the Capitol
Remember when
you with your cool
dark shades walked behind
me and pretended I was
somebody and you my
secret service agent
Remember when you
opened your own practice
and moved into a fancy
apartment and I was
delighted for it all
Remember when
at Starbucks and talked
about life and philosophy
and particle physics
Remember when you got
your first flashy car and
asked me to go as you
decided between colors
Remember when you
were asked to join as
partner in a bigger firm
with a big office
Remember when you
made football understandable
by comparing the ball to a baby
that needed protection
Remember when
we would watch games
at your apartment
sometimes with your friends
every Sunday
Remember when the Jets
won a game or two and
the spread that you’d put
out and the corner of the
couch where I’d sit
Remember when
you fell in love -
and talked with me for
months as you explored
moving toward marriage
Remember when you were
deciding on which ring and
allowed me to go and see
your final few choices
Remember when you went
off to a sweet warm spot
with hibiscus and frangipani
had someone film your private
dinner proposal on the beach -
and both called smiling and so happy
Remember being
picked up at the airport
and how we all hugged
and went off to your soon
in-laws, your fiancé's
ring flashing the future
Remember when
we danced at your wedding
and two years later shared
a sonogram picture
Remember when you
showed me your baby son
named him for my father
and let me hold him
Remember when
his tiny hands were
replicas of your own
Remember then?
Remember when?
I do.
I am sure - you remember
the latter and have no memory
of the beginnings -
for such is the way of things....
your history held sacred and
sparkling …
Remember when
you thought you would
care about me forever?
Remember when I too
thought you would care
about me forever?
I do.
You don’t.
It is incomprehensible
to count the years to
this unfathomable age
remembering and not be
permitted to create any
new memories …
Remember when?
All this and a billion synapses more
Sparkling ...
Then, now and forever -
I shall.
