before
1974

before—
sunshine centered
on me
my life, my curiosity,
my need

unintended,
you showed up at dawn
screaming, so skinny
five weeks too soon
I recognized your eyes

enormous, innocent,
squinty in first light
they locked on mine—
you knew too much
you knew what was up

after—
white coats, stethoscopes
windowless hallways
cardiac cath lab and blood
fear clutched my bones

mama-grit flared
your eyes made me—
you broke me
am I grateful?
fifty years on, the sun

2023 ©Amrita Skye Blaine
I’m writing a poem a day. These are drafts—not final versions.