Last night, amid the evil
You unexpectedly held my face
And said those things
You used to say
And I remembered
That cherished feeling
And I woke up choking
With grief
As if it was yesterday
You were larger than life
Suffocating me with joy
Dwelling on the bright side
Never truly understanding
The darkness I was in
You held out your arms
And tried with all your might
To pull me from my depths
But the black grip held fast
And even your strength
So used to fixing others
Could not fix me
So you gave up
And I left
Your indifference being
Slightly less bearable
Than your disappointment
You deserved your freedom
With honours
Remember those babies I wanted?
The ones you were never ready for?
I have them now
They are so beautiful
Turns out they could save me
No strength required
Just laughter, cuddles
Stick men and whoopee cushions
And I acknowledge daily
The price I paid for them
Losing you
It’s just not been the same
I barely remember happiness
At least within me
Or those shared sunsets we saw
In far flung corners
Backpacks rubbing on sunburnt shoulders
I hope you’re happy now
I hear the stories, you know
You found babies of your own
Or maybe they found you?
I always knew
You couldn’t run forever
Just as I knew
How amazing you’d be as a dad
And I’m glad
Like that old song
I used to play to you
The one you got sick of hearing
On the way to your mother’s house
“And in July, a lemonade
To cool you in some leafy glade…”
I wish, just sometimes
In the midst of the evil…
“But most of all, when snowflakes fall…
… I wish you love.”
…your hands clutching my face
Saying those things
Protecting me
I wish your love was still here
Raging Zoo by Jane Prinsep 