Before you Forgot My Name
before you forgot my name
we argued over stupid things
the best color of flames
in the grill
the placement of the second fork
on the table
the proper way to carve the Thanksgiving bird
before you forgot my name
we glared at each other
me the thief of your daughter
you the interloping commander
always struggling with the overlap
of who we insisted we must be
and whom you insist we should be
before you forgot my name
you would grow frustrated with me
that my response to your statements
was not limited to
“yes sir”
that I breathed and spoke and thought
differently from you
before you forgot my name
we seemed so far away
never in the same place
at the same time
in our minds
but now,
I hold your hand
as you stumble to speak
discordant phrases
removed
from the where and whom of you
and I forgive you
myself
each of us
because you can not
and I always make sure
to tell you your name
and mine
knowing as you nod your head
that all the words between us
are now nothing more
than forgotten flames
on a spent lamp
