one should not have to reminisce
alone
you on the sofa, carving
wood curls at your feet
my white cat across your shoulders
big cat bigger shoulders
how we laughed
walking together
small town streets
brushing through
slurs
me in my bell jar of privilege
what i did not see
white blindness
arms entwined
white black
bodies entwined
chiaroscuro
i ask why you keep playing
through injuries, surgeries, pain
you ask why i keep studying
through exhaustion & disillusion
no difference
you say
the night i learned to not
startle you awake
combat marine
your patient teaching
heart-breaking
world-breaking
your large hands holding
it all together
i should have stayed
i should have held tight
how we laughed!
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