IF--

If--

I could I would

tell my mom how much

I loved her

and now how much I miss

her and thanks for the cooking

and laundering and-and;

my dad was here

I would hug him – he who was

shy to do so when my

generation

did not show our inner skin

where tenderness

was a no-no

and “be a man” foolishly

thundered;

I could turn back the years

for my sisters dear

and be a better big brother yet

still not too late you

know – we do have phones;

my old friends from yester year

were standing near

I would cross

the line and say how much

they meant to me;

I had wings I would

transcend paper borders

and bring a message of peace

and forgiveness--

to you and you

oh new friends of mine.

(c) 2018 Richard L. Provencher