Swizzle Stick

Of You

A tiny green balloon (or is it blue)
rises in steady diagonal above
my neighbour’s house while I sit,
having retreated outside to sun,
smoking & mulling over memory.
I know no context for this balloon
before pale noon on a weekday,
is it a symbol, is it a sign?

This morning I learned something:
a lifelong favourite song of mine
a little piece of me (Of You)
is not a simple love song,
no lament for romance lost, as thought -

in the shadow & the mist
I remember the last kiss of you

it's a song of love to a mother,
to honour her life & their loss.


I listen now with knowledge
& this knowledge changes everything,
even my childhood memories.

Another small balloon rises,
diagonal, is it blue?
It is only a sign if I choose.