some things never change,
like the way she smiled that day
- dare not let it fade.

This was me a loooong time ago (circa 1979-80), back when the future stretched out in front of me and I couldn’t wait to get there.

I was standing atop the doghouse, wearing my favorite shorts (”favorite” being shorthand for any article of clothing I insisted on wearing every single day, without regard to situational protocol or the item’s state of cleanliness). They were red, though you can’t tell from the photo, and they were emblazoned with the number 32 on the left leg.

I’m not sure why the picture’s in black and white - I remember it in full color, just like it was yesterday.

If only.

the last call crowd found me
gazing, through the window, outside.
last time here i gazed at you,
no interest in the passersby.

but things change;
glad your dad’s doing better
- unlike that night
when you were frightened
by uncertainty,
and nothing pleased me
more than simply
being
             there
                          for you.