Memorial To An Orphan In Everything But Name

The word 

Father 

Settling between my ribs readily 

Covered with cremated ashes that once grew 

Flowers 

We brought in the shape of his 

Favorite

 Candy peanuts 

Tasting of corn syrup 

Formed 

In the molds of 

Mother’s words 

Another title I was too quick to give away

He’ll always be there 

That pang in my knees, running 

Toward a parent 

Who could never bandage

My wounds each time I fell

From 

That bike a stranger taught me to ride, peddling 

In a constant motion, nothing’s 

Scarier than 

Falling 

Knowing the hands you love 

Could no longer protect you 

Days spent going to the pool 

Terrified of the diving board six

 Feet 

Into the air

But it’s his

Face 

Six feet out of 

The ground smiling from the water 

You don’t have to be afraid 

For

I will always catch you

But reality’s the gravity, pulling 

Me down towards gravel 

That never once 

Cared to cushion 

The hurt