The oldest child
(this poem is currently in competition)

There will come a snowy day
when Christmas lights glimmer
and it�ll all seem so odd
with my tan arms to hug you
maybe sandals on my feet
but when you hurry to welcome me
mittened hands and holiday cheer
you�ll get all nervous after our embrace
and she�ll step forward.
I�ll say:
It�s great to finally meet you
and to the side
I�ll catch your eyes sparkling
with mine shining.

And maybe it�ll be her
maybe someone else
on the milestone day
but I know it will be you
and it will be me
and I�ll sneak into the room
where you�re decking out
(I couldn�t help it)
and hug you so hard I wrinkle the tux
and exclaim:
I just can�t believe it
you�re taking the vows.
I�ll flash you a familiar smile
as I look into your eyes
and hold your hands trembling
with mine steady.

Suppose you comb grey hairs
over your bald spot
and I wear orthopedic shoes and
smell of lavender.
I�ll stumble into an old car
settling on cool cracked pleather
and drive the night through.
I�ll say:
It�s so good to see you
sorry it had to be this way
and we�ll pull out all the photo albums
I haven�t yet seen
and cry about your beautiful bride
pick flowers for her coffin.
It�ll be just as always
like snowy days
with bear hugs
and wedding days
with youthful smiles:
I�ll surround your heart fragile
with mine battered.

copyright 2001 by devon