Never Forget

Silver dollar pancakes have nothing on you.

Neither does this greasy spoon,

In all its glory with that big gumball machine

With its swirly track coated in the dust

Of cracked candy and

The kids’ menu with an extravagant

Buccaneer boat to color

With four crayons that will yield an abstract masterpiece. 

I like the color in your voice better,

As infrequently as I heard it.

But you would always order 

“Coffee, please,” 

And I would direct you away from the pink sugar packets. 

Make sure to mix it well,

And don’t forget to take home those jelly packets. They don’t last forever.

Don’t forget.

Don’t forget. 

You would never forget

As you hold my hand, leading me up to the counter

To see from my point of view.

The other adults don’t look past their knees into that glass case at

The array of vibrant treats and sugary sweets inside. 

Image by Mari Kanezaki from Pixabay