Sound and Safe

The wind here is wet.
The sound of your sweet nothings is silent.
My world is a bit tarnished.
They say you’re vanished.
I search around the house
thinking you would be hiding behind a curtain.
I’m almost certain.

I’m stuck in this time, on this planet,
but my mind travels through time.
We played hide & seek here in this very house.
When I was little, you pretended
to not spot me so I could win.
I know it now because I can see
that the curtains were thin.

I don’t call your name aloud.
I pretend that you’re around,
but I know you’re in a much better place.
Sound and safe.

My heart is a little hollow.
The beats have gone a little deeper.
I often get busy with daily chores,
but I’m often looking at the doors,
trying to heed your footsteps
hoping you would be coming from office
bringing watermelon.
I’m almost certain.

I’m stuck in this time, on this planet,
but my mind travels through time.
We played cricket in this very house.
When I was little, you showed
as if nothing can ever go wrong.
I know now what you meant
when I’m playing with my son,
humming your favorite song.

I need you still,
but I don’t call out your name,
and pretend that you’re around
because I know you’re in a much better place,
sound and safe,
smiling at us always.

 

– Benjamin Everett