After years of memories buried
For the sake of peace of mind,
You may one day see a young girl
Seated across from you on a public bus.
With her little blonde head
Situated with perfect comfort
In a father’s still lap.
She may be licking fingers adorned with bitten nails,
Hoping for every last pleasure
That the crumbs of an afternoon pain au chocolat bring.
And you may suddenly remember
Something you hadn’t realized you’d misplaced
And feel oh so far,
And oh so forgotten.
But know this:
It was never a betrayal of that little girl
To let her reside in a mind unblemished
By silent footsteps ever alert to a familiar tone.
And though no child should have to let go of the good
In order to thwart the bad,
It is better still for parts to be left behind
Than to never have gotten out at all.
So on those special days,
When you hear a song
You once danced to in the kitchen together,
Or spot the model of car
You used to beg shotgun of,
Wipe the tear falling quietly down your cheek
And let go of the heart heavied
With the guilt of going
For it was always survival, never selfishness.
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