Southie

Of ladybug magnets with broken wings. In a cozy kitchen where vitamins got lost behind the fridge every day.

Of fountains nestled between brownstones. Lazy frogs with wiry tongues and flies darting about with no hope.

Of a cat who ruled the ever-winding stairs. Stairs that went on forever, up to the heavens. My heavens.

Of a church, a pastor, and a father. School on Sundays, with Laura.
And reeling in paper fish on my line, while learning of better fishermen.

Of innumerable grandmothers and innumerable kisses.

Of Melba & Eddie. And green grapes always on a counter beyond my grasp.

Of push-up icecream pops that never reached our tongues, but only the apples of our cheeks.

Of polkadot swimsuits and blue plastic pools.

Of Betsey's fear of motorcycles.

Of being waited for, longed for, and loved.
Of his scratchy beard and her butterfly kisses. <3

Of the cracked light from the study door, just enough to see a forehead creased in thought. Or sometimes shoulders hunched over a guitar.

Of faces pressed against the pane, watching the K Street garbage man.

Of all the things I remember now,
That all took place in Southie.