BEACH

When I close my eyes
waves of darkness surround me
and I see your face

Your tattered blue jeans
and oil-stained
fruit o’ the loom t-shirts
are all I remember

A face
in a photograph
I have no memory of you
only what others have said

I don’t remember
your laugh
your smile
how you walked
or held me in your arms
I don’t know if you told me
“I love you”
or if you ever did

You’re just
a fading face
in a photograph
that keeps me
up at night

Written June 1990

Oddly enough, I found this photo about fifteen years ago. I never knew it existed. I cannot, however, find that photo of him in his t-shirt anymore.