Yesteryear Once More

As I stare out the window mixed yesterdays collide in the breeze.

Laughing man, tall: I was nine? Dad watched me ride that bike alone.

Down the street there’s a barking dog. Sounds like Max. I was eleven.

How I loved that dog. He was a birthday present.

Fractured sunlight flares through a crack.

My eyes flinch closed to a second of blessed darkness.

Which yesterday now? Of course - the baby is crying. I was twenty-three.

William Jr. So small he lay there with his dark hair and red face.

Tiny fists were clenched so tight. He was a fighter from day one.

Errant piece of paper flutters by borne on the wandering wind.

Looks like a child’s report card. Lets see:

Senior year: Graduation. A silver honor tassel dangled from my hat.

I was so proud to bear that hallmark of distinction.

Look over there; a woman passes by with hand to hat.

Invisible fingers of wind snatch at her dress

Like a lonely friend clutching at a promise of comfort.

Ah the red dress. I recall she wore it on our 35th.

Where is Alice now? Oh, of course: Gone these two years.

Eyes tear slightly as hands flutter to cheeks.

Water splatters on glass; spilt dreams of days gone by.

There a young man with an umbrella comes up the sidewalk.

Intertwined raindrops dance a slow beat on vinyl dance floor.

My radio plays a melody in the background.

It's Yesterday by the Beatles; Appropriate I think.

My heart jumps at a knock on the door. Alice? No. Ah well.

Perhaps it’s Death come calling on an old friend at last.

The cold presence of the final house guest would perhaps be welcome.

My knees creak in light protest as feet are shuffled into slippers.

Cold doorknob turns slowly as if afraid to let in the lackluster light of today.

Aching knuckles protest weakly with twinges of arthritic pain.

Billy? Yes. So tall. Face no longer red. Smile and nod.

My son’s loving gaze pierces through to my hearts achingly vacant cavity.

Blustering wind scatters mixed yesterdays to cobweb festooned corners.

Mercurial drops of memory cascade like a waterfall flowing from the abyss of forever.

Pearls of yesterday fall before the swine like molten marbles at my feet.

Thin tapestry woven of ambivalent history ripples in the breeze.

Scattered, my thoughts regroup to blend seamlessly into the eternal now.

Is there hope beyond yesterday? Yes.

Is there purpose still for today? Yes.

Billy my boy. Come in, the coffee is on.