Remembering

I packed our belongings-
The photo album and our honeymoon picture.
We look so young standing in Yosemite’s valley.
We wore our beanies and our smiles were big.

This day seemed far away once.
We had so many years of laughter, memories
And the enjoyment of our youth and family.
Our kids learned to talk then say “I do”.

Remember the trip home from San Carlos?
Ellie was only four and Ryan was one.
Highway 101 was hot and we had no air conditioning.
Remember the milk shakes and pouring water on the kids?

Remember the gorilla at the Zoo in Santa Barbara?
He ran at the glass to scare us.
You ran from the room afraid, and
I laughed at how silly you were…cute really.

Remember our morning walks to the bay?
In the early days we loaded the kids in the stroller.
Later it was just the two of us getting coffee at Copa de Oro.
We watched the boats alone in the water.

Do you remember how we kissed?
I kissed your upper lip then the lower
Trying to drink all I could from you
Wanting more. You always gave it.

Do you remember where we are going?
I will visit your room every day.
I’ll brush your hair for you in the morning
And put your favorite flowers on your tray.

I never imagined our lives separated in this way-
You living upstairs from me in this place.
Both of us trapped behind bland walls,
Eating retirement food, and you not remembering…
Me.

Marc Amesse

For our grandparents