Em and Ryan are doing fine
but we’ve missed you here.

I’m sorry I’m forgetting you.
And the farm, that’s almost gone too.
And all that remains of the rainbow of bears
is the purple and red, tumbled
in the avalanche of fur and cotton in the closet.

The thick purple knit you made
sits on the immutable wire shelf like a heavy secret.
Wish you could see how when it rains
Em’s smile spreads like butter.

Thank you for the knit, warm and strange.
Thank you for cheating on your flute audition.
Thank you for your voice, sweet like petits fours.
Thank you for your to-do lists – Dad still reads them.
Thank you for what you left here.