SandScript 2023 [Digital Exclusive]

Ripped Jeans, Faded Memories
Kristin LeBlanc
ripped jeans, torn at the knee
where you fell and scraped across the rocks –
tears and blood, welling and spilling
onto the grass beneath you
you reach out and cling
squeezing as tightly as you can
as you are lifted into the air
so tight, as though you fear you might float away
hair smoothed, face and wound cleaned
though your eyes and knee still sting with embarrassment
a gentle hug as you are whispered secrets,
stories shared in the hopes of soothing you
you giggle, tears gone, pain forgotten,
you are let back into the backyard
your private utopia of toys and grass,
you don’t know it, but we are more alike than you will ever admit
when you grow you will forget this moment,
but I won’t, I will remember
your tear-stained face breaking into a grin
Look! Watch me! Can you see me?
Yes, more than you will ever know.
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