Time is Not Linear

I am a child.
The world is new and bright,
Filled with voices and color.
I was born a few weeks ago,
At the age of 16.
It feels like rewinding a tape;
I use those still.
Pixels on the liquid display feel cold and have no scent.
The plastic is tangible,
Like me.
I was born into this grown-up body,
And mail comes here.
Bills.
They have a name on them.
My name.
I was confused, but I've promised to work harder.
My parents treat me with respect,
And my sister is way too tall now.
I am sixteen.
I am newborn.
There is a house to clean and bills to pay.
There is a sad voice on the phone that
(I remember)
Used to call me "wife" and "sweetie".
I will turn twenty-three in two weeks.
I don't remember where I was,
But I'm going home.

Tank Michael S. - Someday

You were old, for your kind,
And I’m still so young.
I had just reached full flower when my heart
Bloomed open and you nestled into the petals.
We had enough time to love one another,
But not enough.
Love, when lost, was never enough.
When we left the house,
I’m glad I told everyone to say they loved you -
Not goodbye.
Death is never goodbye.
Will I see you someday, peering out from green eyes
I’ll swear I’ve seen before?
Or will we keep each other waiting?
If your journey is done, love, I only hope you don’t mind;
I may take awhile to join you.
But I’ll be there, with you, stroking your ears again
Someday.

Untouchable

My throat feels raw;
My eyes sore and red with tears
Pain flooding out through my face
In all its sad and ugly raging.
You are gone, but not gone.
You're near me now,
But I cannot touch you.
I'll never again reach out and feel you
Warm and sleepy beside me in bed.
Never again will I hold you close;
Our hearts reaching out and entwining in the smallest of gaps
Between our breastbones.
I remember though,
How you lifted your head to look into my eyes -
Yours were deep green, and so tired.
When we sat in the hospital,
Hoping for good news,
There was a baby - squalling loudly in his mother's arms.
He looked just like you.
He was small and frail, newly born,
And you,
Small and frail, soon to close your eyes for all time.
I'm crying now, and fighting not to cry.
I cannot touch you,
But you are here.