Fireworks over Frederick

It was last August.

And you

died.

I have not

spoken

about it.

But I have

thought

about you.

That day 

I was at 

work,

I found out.

I said 

nothing.

I told 

no one.

But that did

not change 

anything.

You were 

still gone.

It had 

been 

awhile

since

I had talked 

to you.

You were

part of my

old life.

I thought

about you

that 

day.

My friend.

Driving 

on a tractor.

You coming 

over to my 

house sitting

on my deck

and having 

a beer.

You were old

and I Knew 

that you would 

die.

But

I felt

bad.

I stopped visiting

it was to painful.

You were that 

old life.

I was afraid

if I saw you

I would miss

my old life,

Silly?

but that 

night I drove 

home

and left all 

the windows

down.

The sunroof

was open

and I drove

in silence.

I thought

about you 

and your 

old house.

Old wood 

floors that

had dirt

in the cracks

of the floor.

Your dogs

running in

the front yard

and you smiling

and laughing.

Sitting down

by the river 

at night.

Talking about

your family 

who had moved

so far from you.

All the tomatoes

you would

bring to 

my doorstep

and leave 

like a secret 

admirer.

The note

you left

on my step

that said,

He is a Fool.

As I drove

I cried,

because you

were gone.

The regret

filled my heart.

Did I need

to leave everything?

Did I have 

a choice?

Did you forgive me?

As I got closer 

to Frederick

in the distance

I saw fireworks.

Shooting up 

in the air 

so free.

I took this 

as a sign 

you were 

with me,

I took this

as a sign

you forgave me.

As I drove 

by

the baseball

field 

where they

were being

shot off

The fireworks

streaming

over my

car

over

my sun roof..

I was warm.

Your warmth

was right 

next to me.

As I let the tears

fall

I heard

you.

You whisper

in your strong

country

draw,

You are the prize

and your life 

is worthy of love.

As I turned 

off the 

exit 

I turned into

the fireworks

and I

knew

I was forgiven

that night.

That august night

when 

all I could 

see were the 

Fireworks 

over 

Frederick.

And 

All I 

felt 

was your

love.