Stepping out of the Cage - August 21, 2024

Caliyah and the other young squealers

play prey-predator/shark-and-victim

in her backyard pool

her grandfather  my brother and

I watch from chairs in the shade

this scene from her sixth birthday party

so hard to believe we’re the old ones now

observing what we used to do

our blurred pasts lost to time

though I don’t think time means

to rub it in our faces

the aged are captive to reflection

I kiss and hug Caliyah goodbye

she’s glazed over with excitement

she’ll not remember a thing of my visit

I drive home  hollow-boned  not eager

to get back into the cage of my age

but the door is open

and

well

I have nowhere else to go