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 forty-five

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

The 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