Looking through the Keyhole of Time

A portal suggested by Diane Zinna

I look through the keyhole of time

And see you as a child dressed in what

looks like a light blue taffeta dress

With ruffles trimmed in lace. A shaft

Of light brightens your copper curls.

I hear your sweet child voice praying

As if your little life depended on it.

I hear you say, as you kneel at the end of

Your bed,  “Dear God, Please bring my

Daddy back to me!  He’s been gone a whole

week, and I miss him so much, and love him

so much, Ìt hurts in my heart and my belly.

The night before he left,  I heard Mommy

and Daddy talking loudly downstairs,

waking me.  Then I heard foot steps coming

up the steps and Daddy came into my room

and leaned down to kiss me on my forehead,

saying, ‘I’ll always love you Princess.’  And

then he left.  I didn’t even say, ‘I love you too,

Daddy.’  I didn’t know I might not have another

chance to tell him.”

You start to whimper softly, then your body

begins to shake with your sobs.  My eyes

begin to water, and tears start dripping down

my own face, remembering…..

And then a voice calls your name.  You run out of my

vision, but I see the light blue quilt where your feet

slide under Ìt.  Then the voice calls again, and a grey

cat runs to you from the bottom of your bed.  I assume

it went over to comfort you.  Someone comes up the

steps, opens the door and looks in on you.  Satisfied,

she leaves, tip toeing away.  Hidden from view, I wipe

my eyes and remember…..