He's just around the corner
waiting to be seen.
I know he is. I feel him there,
but what happens is obscene.
I make the turn,
but where'd he go?
The problem is
that I don't know.
I know he's here.
His warmth still lingers.
He reaches out
and grabs my fingers.
I gasp aloud,
'cause he's not there.
In front of me
I just see air.
"Where are you?"
"I'm long gone."
"What's that mean?"
"It means you're strong.
"I'm not strong.
I'm very weak."
"Then you can be
my secret's keep.
Promise me
you will remember
long ago
in some December
you met me
though I'm long gone.
You saw what wasn't
but that's not wrong.
A memory.
That's what I am.
Once a lion.
Now a lamb."
A silence rings.
My breath puffs clouds,
and as he fades
I scream aloud,
"I'll remember
and save your secret.
Every day
I'll always keep it."
His warmth faded.
His touch was gone.
But time kept moving.
Forward. Gone.