Remember When?

Remember When

For My Most Amazing MOM

Remember when hurt was thin and happiness like honey?
We would read stories in bed
Blankie firmly grasped, your hand in mine
Frozen peas, swing sets, splashing on the raft
Remember when school days and summer nights kept time?
Remember not knowing and not asking?

Remember when I refused to go and then to leave?
The country of miniature
Buying day old meat, playing bang ball
WC slippers and little red car
Katakana and curry
Remember when we realized we would never be the same?

Remember when we hoped for a coat?
Cebu, Moscow, Bucharest
Pani Pat pizza and cold concrete
Warm smiles on weary faces
Remember when we cried together on the couch?

Remember when we realized we would have to cry alone?
‘I love you Manda’ notes cover my desk
Blue patch on white scrubs
Secrets whispered to a friend and not to you
Remember when we befriended pain?

Now we know
Tears make our smiles brighter
And separation makes our friendship stronger