first draft

On the Steps of St. Joseph's
Estelle Gonzales 2004

city lights gradually fading from view.
the melancholic hum of our ’84 chevy wagon
serenading us
into the autumn of our discontent.

… correction: my discontent

st. joseph’s cross in the distance
surrenders its silhouette to the evening sky.
and as i watch the trees forfeit their leaves,
i brace for colder winds.

… “je me souviens”

youthful tears exhibit fear of transition.
mom just smiles, reassuringly
drying my eyes
with a leap of faith.

… do not worry about tomorrow
for tomorrow will worry for itself*

City lights now emit a nostalgic glimmer
and I find myself once again on the steps of St. Joseph’s.
Memories once so obscure to me;
return ten-fold.

… everything seems so much smaller now

I stand in silent commemoration.
Almost in mourning for the years almost forgotten.
As an autumn breeze greets me a melancholic welcome,
A whispered prayer escapes my lips.

… A lament for childhood’s passing.

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*taken from Matthew 6:34