And always there is a picture of you and her

Coming home happy from a vacation on the seas

And you looked like a sailor

With a tattoo of an anchor on your arm

Your hair greased back

Face weathered by places and days I'd never seen



Sometimes I read and reread



The birthday card you sent me

When I turned seven

And I know that they will never shine

The way it did that day

When we threw paper airplanes at your head

And sat on your knees laughing