Four Poems for Shane

1.
There were too many
wasted wishes in the sky,
too much withered beauty.
You squinted your eyes,
turned away.
Mine were open wide:
babies crying for their first breath.

2.
Drunk on myself, I believed I could
send back the tide.
You waved your arms like wands,
encouraging my faith.
That night you watched,
laughing as I dusted away
the mountains of sand
that piggy backed
their way home with me.

3.
My fingers clawed at you --
ten children pleading for candy.

4.
The echo of the unheard
was heavy with accusation.
It slipped,
tumbling into my lap.