Morning Good-bye

We sat on our steps, facing

Each other, door to door,

Shoes to shoes, lacing,

Bracing for the long day

Ahead. Watching us,

The morning moon. Freshly cut,

A slice of fruit. Honeydew.

Him, blending into his door

And his porch and the

Dark dawn. Doors shut tight.

I, obstructing light from

My door, my mother’s shadow

That was seeping towards

Him, whose mind

Drifts to the lift, then school,

Then lunch, then friends.

Me, my mind lingering

On home, square and warm

On my mother watching

Over me, on the

Best way to say goodbye.

On the different way

Him and I leave

Our house, laced,

Braced for the day ahead.

I stood up, plant to sun,

To my mother who whispered kisses.

I close my eyes. Come home safely.

He stood up, back against

The dark fruit, the flower, kicked off

The kickstand, urged the creaking

Metal skeleton

Onwards

Into the morning.