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
in the turtle’s chest
where I used to keep
my childhood safe
and where I felt secure.

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

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

Dad..
Do you remember me…?

I remember long days,
in puddles on Ridgewood
hopping scotch; blue, pink,
and yellow chalk.
I remember,
riding down the big hill
for mom’s cigarettes
and milk and maybe even
a little pie too

I Remember.
Do You..?

I remember bad dreams
waiting...
waiting for you
waiting for brothers
to come home
from Yankee games because
"Little girls could get lost."
waiting..
waiting for the phone to ring
that it might be you
waiting..
waiting by the door, the window
waiting..
waiting for you
waiting..
waiting as each birthday passed
year after year,
waiting..
waiting... waiting... waiting..

You see, I remember, Dad…
But do you, remember me?
Because if you did-
Then you would know me.

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