Hey, Dad..
                                                          Do You Remember, Me...?

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Hey, dad..
Do you remember me...?
I remember 5am polaroids taken bleary-eyed,
banned from family affection.
Then, there were always those promises,
empty
and longing cries inside the turtle’s chest
where I, used to keep my childhood
safe and felt secure.

I’d climb up hidden ledges in the closet,
to feel snug while wiping sadness off the walls.
The only place, I could etch my name and be seen
in the wood, that held the house together.

Do you remember, dad...?
How I’d put my dreams in a little green box
screened by night and I’d whisper
into the clouds, everything
I hoped for-
because the night was so silent and I
was so sure I could be heard.

Do you remember, dad…?
Those long days in puddles on Ridgewood
hopping scotch; blue, pink, and yellow chalk
on the ground, on my fingertips. 
Do you remember, how I'd ride down the big hill
for mom’s tobacco and milk
and maybe, even steal a heart or two.

I remember... do you..?
How about those bad dreams in waiting, 
in waiting for you, waiting for brothers
to come home from Yankee games, 
because"little girls could get lost."
waiting...
for your voice on the other end
waiting...
by the door, the window, outside
waiting...
in hopes and fears, in hoping
waiting...
for you, dad
for you, waiting...
through each birthday passed
waiting...
waiting...
through each year passed
waiting...


waiting..


waiting...

You see, I remember, Dad…
I remember it all 
do you,
remember
me?
because if you did,
then you would know me.

- J. Circosta
Hey, Dad... Do You Remember Me...? 2017