Did You Hear Me

Did you hear me when I shouted at the sun?

Hear me crying to that brightness

To come and blot out the darkness that settled

Into my life, my soul when

You went away

Beyond my reach

Beyond

All reckoning for a child who remembers

Wood smoke and Old Spice aftershave

And the scent of hard work lingering

Lying in your lap

Content.

 

Did you hear me when I cried to the stars?

Hear me begging for just one more walk

Through dusky woods and over the creek

Babbling as I

Yelled into the sky

Come back

To Sunday mornings and church

On the television

Laughter overflowing at the breakfast table

And strawberry shortcake suppers

Come back

Please

 

Did you hear me screaming at the moon?

Hear me sobbing angrily

Can’t you please, just one more time say it

Say you love me again before you go

But you did not and you left me

Memories

Of sea shells and macaroni & cheese

And the flowers in tiny beds

The red room where

I played games with you

And learned to love

With ordinary joy