One Tiny Shoe

 

An answer to Cher’s poem, “A Boomer’s Lament”

One tiny shoe,

With missing laces

I cradle in my hand

And hold dear

Don’t worry he said, I can climb that tree

Look at me

I am almost at the top

Little that he knew

In between the branches

My heart was fluttering

Stop and go, go and stop

Don’t worry he said, my bike is my horsey

I am riding it to the moon

My breath was shrinking

I have to let him fly

Hard it might be,

That day is coming

That day is coming too soon

I leave tonight; he said

Over many oceans they sent me

To right the wrong

Would you write me letters every day?

And if I called you,

Could you hum our song?

Tears rolling I say:

Stay

Stay for just a moment

So I can hold you

So I can fill my eyes with you

Stay!

One tiny shoe

With missing laces

I cradle in my heart

And hold near

For he is no more