Princess
I …
unlock the front door
walk across the sill and
into the house
like countless times before
look around quickly
no sight of you
“Pretty Girl!” I yell
in that silly, high, cartoon voice that
folks rolled their eyes at
but you always loved
(cuz you knew it was just for you)
again, I start to call
“Pretty Girl! Where ARE you, Pret.. … ?”
and it sticks in my throat
where now
its sound will always be, forsaken
halfway to my heart
where the rest of you remains
with Dad
Sister Sugar
and our dearest Mama
all the glaring ghosts
that have turned this home
into just another house
and my world
into a realm …
of shadows.
* this is a form I created called “Bookend Free Verse - I hope you enjoyed it *
Copyright © Gregory Richard Barden, August 25, 2023
( pastel painting by my sister Terrilynn Dubreuil )
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