Shadow of consciousness

I could never picture your face
I had to look at a photo
to see you.

Though you were in my dreams
it was just a feeling,
a shadow of consciousness
that you were there with me
no matter hard I tried
to picture you,
I couldn't.

I have now stopped looking at photos.

I have cleared away
the ones hidden within reaching distance
for when I needed to see you.

I needed time to grieve,
properly.
To grieve over you.
The friendship I have lost
The Closeness that's gone
The melliflous of your voice.

So little time has gone by
since making that decision
But,
I can see you.
I see so many images of you
You even visit me now
in my head
during my dreams.

This time not as
shadow
but
as you.

Childhood

Childhood only happens once
Enjoy while you can
For soon your daughter
Will be a woman
And your son
A man