Honeydew
In the first green valley
Losing and finding his marbles
Fragments of laughter and tears
Shining a rainbow like cathedral stained glass
Skimmed knees and mudpies
Sweat and chocolate stains
Dotting the pages of a half-empty journal
Prayers long answered now have been forgotten,
But boy, I think about you often, too
The days rise like the smoke of mom's quarterly paper bonfire
And settle like ash onto the floorboards of the treehouse dad made for us
Futons keep countless secrets
Slumber parties whose nights knew no end
Stories of friendly firsts tucked deep into the rafters
Cereal sweet mornings,
Clinking spoons and chocolate milk
Washing down dreams from the night before,
Seeds irrigated with hope
Today is a honeydew