Right Here
Amber Sweet
standing there in my black mary janes
four foot something with pink cheeks and curls
gazing up at my father with purity
he stands tall and affecting
trying to hold it together
smiling at me through heartache
my tiny hands reach for his as I smile back
they tell me she's gone but how can that be
I ask my father when she's coming back
his words muffled by apologies and tears
I grip him tighter and tell him not to cry
hand in hand we follow the corridor
he reassures me with a kiss
I peer over a cedar cradle
overcome by confusion
flustered by the throbbing in my chest
I tell him she's right here
five foot something with pink cheeks and curls
he doesn't have the answers
I call for her but she doesn't call back
just lays there
laced in the same pearls she let me play dress up in
she's vacant but adorned in beauty
smile painted on
but it’s not hers
startled by the familiar scent of lavender
her elegance permeates the air
I seek refuge
frightened by the cold between my fingers
he tells me she's gone
but how can that be
she's right here