Cartwheel

Here and there and gone again Firefly juice on your skin You're glowing like an atom bomb This natural thing that you've undone Outgrew older sister's clothes again Won't admit you're growing tall and thin You like your body pulling at the seams You're not prepared for what the future brings Curse words and empty cups, cracked blacktop curling up Heatwave by midday, heat lightning on a summer night And I remember when you used to call Holed up in the closet in the hall Scared you wouldn't live to 45 The same age as your father when he died You'd say, "We need to talk Sneak out, meet me on your block" I'd sit by you, silent on the curb What to say when there is not a word? Spell broke at daybreak Light another candle on the cake Cartwheel and a broken wrist Skin scarred and sun-kissed When you told me 'bout your first time A soccer player at the senior high I felt my body crumple to the floor Betrayal like I'd never felt before I thought back to many years ago A late night promise on the telephone We'd build a house of twigs and vines Grow old together just to pass the time Now there's only past and present day I can't believe a word you say The future isn't worth its weight in gold The future is a benevolent black hole