our perfect day 

set out on an adventure

shared by

kindred spirits

 –

up to the top 

of the  

empire state building

 – 

both had always wanted to 

never had –

found our chance

–

saw it and looked

in amazement

at the world around us

– 

next stop

a favorite park

playing in the autumn sun

– 

 sat by the water

talked about life

 all the important things

– 

scooby doo, spiderman, 

stuffed monkeys, 

people we love,

holidays, colors,

magic, fairies

– 

calm and peaceful

took coins

kissed them and made wishes

– 

tossed them in

watched them sink

as ripples moved

away from them

 –

he asked me

what is your wish?

i shared

– 

breaking the code of secrecy 

that goes with all wishes

just this once

for this very special reason

– 

my wish –

that you never feel sick again

(it’s been 2 long years)

and that we will share so many, many

perfect days

together

just like this one

–

i asked him

what is your wish?

he shared

breaking the rules

just this once

– 

his wish

so powerful

i sat

just listening

– 

tumbling

from the lips of

this 5 year old boy

who has endured 

so much more 

than most adults

in their entire lifetime

ever will

– 

old soul trapped in a child’s body

his wish

was 

the most amazing response

–

my wish 

he said

in that most innocent of voices

is that all of YOUR wishes come true

–

 we sat

in silence

looking at each other

both understanding

this would be our last perfect day together

–

we knew

these were our gifts

to each other

that we would always keep

–

gifts given

in their purest form

each only

for the other

–

we shared a moment

now held within us forever

on this,

our perfect day.

–

dedicated to my nephew h, who passed away soon after, (november 1, 2006), on a perfect autumn day. 

–