ian

nine years ago i saw you there

the international gate at chicago o’hare

being kissed and hugged as you bade farewell to your family

up in the air i forgot about you

who you were i hadn’t a clue

you wore glasses and your voice squeaked when you talked

—

i never said hello

no, i never said hello

i never said hello

’til you said goodbye …

—

six years between still could be friends

happily for me the story began

you were like the big brother i had always wanted

snaps of midget doors and giant shoes

abandon the shy — what’s there to lose?

we talked and played and i finally felt at home

—

then our time ran out

and then our time ran out

then our time ran out

and we had to say goodbye

—

“shake or hug” the option you gave

shake but smile the choice i made

we’ll write, we promised, waving our final farewells

nine years later no word has come

what did i neglect or leave undone?

i feel like part of me is gone and i’m still just …

—

wondering why

wondering why

wondering why

you left me at goodbye