I remembered it
I even remembered the names
of her parents
Who were still there
and still, however vaguely
Remembered me
when I tracked them down
Through identical floorplans,
unmemorable numbers.
It was the location
I recalled
Across from what is
no more.
They let me look in
on her museum,
All the broken pieces
of youthful expression
The perfect coda
to their disappointment,
The unredeemable pain
fathers feel.
I missed the flight
from Indianapolis
To be silent in the kitchen
with its ticking clock.
There was no need to assist her
or apologize
When she inexplicably appeared
and we hugged
In the death grip of nothing
between us anymore --
There never was a chance
to even save her
And the fact all this was never real
immaterial.
