Art by Sayalee Patankar, MS1
I was 13
You were 6 and 4
And I knew which of you was coming
from the sound of your footsteps on the stairs.
At dinner with dad’s friends once
Someone confused me for mom
Because I was the one cajoling you to eat
and wiping your tears.
Now I am 23
You are 16 and 14
And I see your lives now not in motion picture
but stop motion, cutting from scene to scene in rapid succession.
You’re showing me your latest anime obsession -cut
I’m distracted with cell bio -cut
You’ve learned a new K-pop dance -cut
I’m doing Anki again -cut
You’re seeing a therapist -cut
I’m excited about a trip with friends -cut
You hate your new school -cut
I’m too busy to come home -cut
You’re crying on the phone with mom -cut
I sit in a park listening, 150 miles away -cut
You’re in the hospital -cut
You’re in pain -cut
And all I want to do is stop the film from playing so quickly,
so I can wipe your tears again.
