¯\_(ツ)_/¯

For Evelyn

I want to tell you a story sister,
About a boy I once knew.

He always sat straight up,
With his old muddy shoes
On the porch, his legs would dangle
His arms were rested by his sides
I guess I never did realize
How he past his time
With his head back, facing the sky
And the rays of sun would pour
Like strands of water on his face.
A shiny trail that shimmers past his neck.

I never understood why
He would keep his old muddy shoes.
The tips of the white lace were burned down
Till there's nothing but thread.

He never did tie them.
He tripped over them when we ran
Across the sand by the sea shore.
When he lost sight of me
I'd cup my hands and dip them in water
And I'd catch him by surprise.

I asked him one day
To clean those old muddy shoes
Another day he would say.
But he never washed them.

With the heels torn open
And the tips scratched.
He'll leave them outside
Next to a plant that was at rest
On top of the porch where
He used to watch the sunsets
With me.

I asked him why he still has
Those old muddy shoes
And then he told me something
That I already knew.

How weird sister.
Maybe I should've told you
This before.
Now you'll see me
Resting by my bedroom door.
With children so small.
So small that you'd might mistake them
For porcelain dolls.

We too were this way.
Cradled in fingers instead of arms
So fragile and prone to harm.

I want you to know, sister,
When I am dead
I won't be able to hold your hand.
Or apologize for the things I've said.

But promise me sister,
You'll forgive me.
You'll forgive my terrible ways
And up in the sky
We will come out and play
Forever, we smile
Laughing together.

I am your best friend.
And I speak the truth.
No one else would love you
As much as I do.