Collateral damage…
Jay blows in on a cloud of oilsmoke, too far up the driveway and overloud. We can’t close the garage door.
All hugs and cheap cigarettes, he’s a day late or early, we don’t know. Details are not important. Between places, on his way to war to make his fortune.
There’s a wife somewhere, too young, and angry, and their baby girl has been handed round more than a ball in a rugby match, now with his mother, but she’s looking for a man, and a toddler is cramping her style, so here are some papers, if you will, only he’ll be in The Sand, where he can have his high and come back with a pocket full of gold for their ever after.
In a beer, he says she won’t remember him, and we make noise, but we’re now painting and preparing, flowers and fluff for a girl with too many miles on her already.
We’ve seen her once, and she was sniffly and uncombed, a tired smile, and we love her like she’s us. We have the room and the open arms. We have the time and we can see the heartbreak like darkness down the road.
The game is familiar, the rules elusive but the score is always the same, with plenty of collateral damage. Still, we play, and this time it’s a real life, innocent and worth it. We’ll see him off on another quest, hoping he’ll survive and that this time he’ll learn, even if it means she’ll be gone.
When he pulls out of the driveway, I see a starry night of oilspots where he was, and it makes me sad, but there’s no time. She’ll be here soon, and we’re not ready.
on November 10, 2008 at 5:28 pm
Permalink
Wow. Poetry. I think you make me say ‘wow’ more than anyone else I read.
Middle-Aged-Womans most recent blog post..Ungrateful Beeyotch
on November 11, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Permalink
Thanks, MAW. That’s very nice to say.
on November 12, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Permalink
Oh, she’ll remember him alright…that’s the problem.
Jens most recent blog post..Permission
on November 13, 2008 at 9:38 am
Permalink
yeah, we’re just going to ignore that particular elephant right now.
on November 15, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Permalink
OK, I’m a guy, so I’m dense. If I’m reading this right, Jay is your son, he’s left his wife and baby daughter, and the wife doesn’t want the baby either so you are taking in the baby to raise. If this is correct, then God Bless you.
on November 16, 2008 at 3:47 am
Permalink
Very close, Jerry. Jay is a nephew.
The rest is pretty much right on.
on November 16, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Permalink
How very sad for your grand-niece (I think that’s right) that her parents are not wanting to raise her. And how lucky she is to have you there willing to take her in and love her. She is going to need all the love you can give her! Good luck to you all.
Julies most recent blog post..Invited out for Thanksgiving
on November 17, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Permalink
thank you, Julie.
on November 18, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Permalink
Sometimes the most painful thing to do is the correct thing to do.
Maybe the mother knows in her heart of hearts she can not take care of this beautiful child.
Unconditional love has no limits.
Good Luck with your new bundle of joy, and God Bless.
on November 19, 2008 at 1:09 am
Permalink
You may be right about the mother, whoever you are.