20 Seconds
I FILLED THE ICE CREAM WEEKEND
WITH MY FOUR GROWN SONS
ALONE BUT TOGETHER
HEALING...HELPING
MOVE DISORGANIZED BITS
OF ACCUMULATED JUMBLE
FROM THERE TO THERE
REPAIRING THE FRAGILE
CRACKS AND FRACTURES
OF OUR FAILINGS
DOZING IN THE HALF LIGHT OF DAWN
LIGHTLY SLEEPING
LONELY WAKING
IN A STRANGE ROOM
A STRANGE BED
A GIGGLY LITTLE BOY
HUGGING ME AWAKE
HIS CHUBBY ARMS ENCIRCLED 'ROUND MY NECK
HIS FROOT LOOP BREATH LOUDLY
WHISPERING TOP SECRET SECRETS
INTO MY EAR
REMINISCENTLY COMFORTING
REMEMBERING OTHER LITTLE BOYS
WARM WHISPERS AND CUDDLY TOYS
THE SLEEPING STILLNESS SURROUNDS US
HE IMPATIENTLY SNUGGLES
AND THEN HE IS GONE
WAS IT 20 SECONDS
OR TWENTY YEARS AGO?
DOESN'T MATTER...
IT SWEETLY FEELS THE SAME.