Photograph

Remember when we sat
On the edge of the bridge
Our feet dangling
Casting shadows on the water below
People say it was a dark time
But we never felt so alive
It was as if everything was framed
Caught in the corners
Of a photograph
One carefully folded in our pocket
Tenderly treasured and touched
An idol
Our own religion
A momentary epiphany
We set light to the papers
The bones in our fingers
Working on their own
We sculpted the cinders in our hands
Climbed up to the roof
Danced and sang
Took our clothes off
To let people see
She giggles
It really was magical
A time of grace
I am glad we lived it
Glad that we survived.

Foundation

Alice cuts the butter into tiny squares
They shine like marigolds
Under the fluorescent light
What are you making little cricket
A wall
We have walls I say
I want to build my own castle
The butter is melting
It leaves a greasy trail
On the porcelain plate
Alice looks flustered
Her face pink
Her eyes beginning to water
I want to keep the bad man out
She whispers
I nod
You will need stronger foundations
I say
And a place to keep your bricks cool
She rests her hands in her lap
I make some toast
Wait until it shines golden brown
Lay it on the table to cool
As I sit down I see the bricks
They have melted
Alice wipes her fingers on her dress
Looks to me for an answer
My walls will keep you safe too
She nods
We cannot let the butter waste
With a swift move she dips the toast
Into the yellow liquid
I think my castle is quite delicious
She declares
And we smile and feast
Safely tucked inside.

Apple Season

It is apple season
We take turns with the knife
Sitting inside the sun soaked kitchen
The rays shining in from the porch
A cotton sheet covers the window
So we do not get too hot
Or scorch the precious fruit
With each turn of the blade
Thin strips of apple skin
Fall into the shiny bucket
They make a tiny wave of noise
A release as they fall
Drip
Drip
Thud
We will mix the skins with cinnamon
Make a heady brew
Drink it
Like an elixir
Underneath the stars
We are left with the crisp
White flesh of apples
So glowing they could almost be alive
Perhaps we should make a pie
She says
Maybe
I reply
I imagine my teeth sinking into
The juicy flesh
The juices cool
Waking up my mouth
Loosening my tongue
Refreshing and delicious
Our hands hurt from peeling
Our backs ache from sitting
But there is a joy in seeing
The skins separated from the fruit
A job done
A day well spent
A solution we rarely find
We wipe our hands
Carry the buckets
To the sink
Pour water onto our treasure
It creates a mist
The smell of apple season
Lingers in the air.

Day

We dine on stars for breakfast 
Have tea and scones for lunch
Then comes the darkness 
And we
Swallow screams for dinner
She sits and thinks
What about supper
She asks
Mother says never to sleep
On an empty stomach
Warm milk
I reply
As pearly as the moon
And thick as daytime clouds
That sounds just right she says
And hops next to me
Nimbly
Full of youth
Just another day
One of us grows older
The other lives in an electric storm
Frozen
Not petrified 
Or burnt
I would play my days differently
If I could
Erase the marks 
Write a history
With happier things
We do not get a second chance
We cannot undo what is done
We can only try not to do it again
How curious she says
How very complicated 
To be grown
Yes I think
As we drift off deep into
Buttermilk dreams. 

Daisy Chain

I braid her hair with daisy chains
Summer is wearing on our soul
I have had enough of it
She sighs
Me too little cricket
I say
As I let the plait fall through
My sticky fingers
She sits up suddenly
I lie still
Too old
To follow her moves now
Did I fall through the mirror or jump
She asks
You fell down the hole
And jumped through the mirror
I shift slightly
To see her face
It was magic I whisper
To the foggy skies
I will have to tell her
Again and again
Not that I mind
It is all part of our storyline
She wiggles her toes
And stretches her feet
I feel as if we must sleep now
To ward away the heat
Our breathing is heavy
Our thoughts a thunder storm
We hope for a keen wind
To carry in the end of summer
Rain to ease our soul.

Storm

Alice counts the thunder storms
Clash
Clash
Bang
She squeals with delight
I hold my head
Wait for the rain
In the silence
I am explaining
A few things
Time
Space
Being
All wrapped up in one large bang
It is peculiar
How the days turn
How night always comes
How we tap our toes in time
To the second hand
The window turns grey
There is no air
I think I can't breathe
Remember all the times
When I couldn't
Not on my own
Life is quieter now
Less catastrophes
A peak and trough
That is not so steep
We are happy lying still
I think
Slowly growing older
Turning grey
Just like the sky
She giggles
With one last roar
The rain falls down
It smells fresh
Washes away the morning
Remember that word
I ask her
Petrichor
She says proudly
Another word
Bound up in our bag
Ready to be used
When the time is right.

Tango

Let's dance a tango
She says
Grabbing my hand
The night is black
She is young
And the stars shine around her
Like egg yolks in a pan
Her hair brushes my cheek
And for a moment
I think
If only this could last forever
We spin and twirl
Spin and twirl
Until we are dizzy and fall
Flatten ourselves to the floor
The hills and the plains
Far away from our door
Tell me what you want
She asks
Peace
I say
She chews her fingertips
In concentration
I think she is looking for an answer
It is not as simple as falling down a hole
And wanting to get out
But it is she exclaims
That is your answer
Your story in essence
Is the same as mine
I stay quiet
Knowing she is right.

Happiness

What makes you smile
Asks Alice
Words I say
Without hesitation
Sometimes they are soft
Like honey melting into warm bread
Sometimes harsh
Like broken bottles
But always they find us
Like a treasure hunt
She giggles
Some words have sound
Some rest silently
Wrap around us
Leave us spinning like a bumble bee
She claps her hands
I know what she likes
Cakes
Stars
Tea
Cats
Anything with form
Belonging
Do I belong with you now
For the time being little cricket
Does that make you happy
Yes I say
Without hesitation
We settle into the day
Watch time turn
And light cast shadows on the walls
It is peaceful
Gives us chance to gather up
Syllables
Vowels
Letters
Tomorrow we will arrange them on paper
Let them speak
Tell a little story.