as the music flows
as the memories fly
faces rush by
oh Kelly
sarcastic friend
now wheelchair ridden
she had a key chain of a monkey
(Richard was his name)
dear Jeannie
her laughter fills the cafeteria
everyday, she hums tunes
while staring out the window
and she disappeared from school
one day and (nobody knew what
happened to her)
Mary
she was my best friend
what happened then
i never knew
last Christmas
nothing special
anticipating only to be
continually disappointed
no firecrackers on new years day
no lanterns to light the last day
either, no laughter no tears
stagnant- (is another Christmas
coming my way?)
i remember
i remember five years ago
cousin Donna came all the way
over and we spent the new year
shouting at every passing car
i remember
i remember those days when i
used to take out my penknife
and carve (tommy hearts me)
relishing in the feeling of that
short slice, deep cut, long drag-
(dad gonna get mad mum gonna get sad)
doctor lawyer engineer i said
hand raised in the classroom
emotions stirred, faces turned
why is it that i remember nothing
from last new year
last Christmas
what was my birthday like
chocolate cake? burnt out bread?
fat vanilla scented candles?
short twig like angles glow-
what was my wish, i wish to know
what did i ever wish for,
i just want these days to go-
is another Christmas coming my way?
where has tommy gone
the candle winked out
the faces fade
the memories dissipate.
in the distance,
a sound, crystal clear-
raindrops smashing head on
onto the cement floor.
