Different Slants

by Robert M. Katzman © March 31, 2019 

Baby, what’s wrong?
I wanna go out
I know, your coat is on and everything 
But the rain is so cold
So, want some hot cocoa?
No! I wanna go out…
What would you do…outside?
I’d run around
I’d watch the ants
I’d try at climb that big tree
One day, when I’m bigger…
What else?

I’d lie on the grass an’ watch those clouds
Why?
Because sometimes they look like elephants
Because they’re all white and fluffy
Because I wish I could hide inside of them
Wouldn’t you fall down?
No, no, I’m four and little and I could stay up there 
And float away like those clouds?
Yeah, Daddy, I could float away, far away
If you could just go outside?
If I could just go outside…
Are you crying?
Yeah, but the clouds are crying too
So maybe tomorrow you can…
Yeah, Daddy, maybe I can go out tomorrow
Are you sad?
I want some hot cocoa
Okay, Son
Come away from that cold window
Maybe tomorrow I can go outside 
Maybe tomorrow…

(Picture taken of my four-year-old son 
Trapped inside of our house 
On a cold rainy day, in 1982 
Each day I see it 
He eternally young 
As my hair turns whiter 
Every day)

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