Early Memories

A flash of light, a sheet of white

And hands, and arms…open

And a smile warms.

And love, and silent strength

And a soft cheek…whispers

And song upon her breath.

And love, and frantic calm

And the strong beats…slow

And the silence of peace.

A sheet of white, a flash of light

I come with these...early memories

And a smile warms.

Early Memory

Family surrounds
     little coffee table
holding, not coffee,
     but a Land of Candy.

Grape gob
     too big for my mouth
bubble-icious
     delicious.

Little hand draws
     purple card
move one, two, three spaces
     to the Rainbow Road.

Excitement explodes.
     Two-year-old legs
jump for joy
     and the gum goes down.

Choke.
     Cough.
Splutter.
     Flail.

Face turns the color
     of the cherished chew
until a THWACK
     knocks it down.

Swallowed.
     Smiled.
My first lesson in
     survival.