A thousand steps ago
When I was a sleepy kid
In a warm room with many pictures
It was winter
As long as I could remember
I sit on the counter early morning
Pajamas wrinkling beneath me
The bright lights gazing down on me
My moms’ house, warm
And smells of Christmas
My dads’ house, warm
And smells of bacon and eggs
Both houses sturdy and comforting
As I get ready in the morning
And probably a million mornings
Run away through rough rains
As the sons rise together
And I, in my brand new clothes
Which aren’t torn and worn yet
Told the sunrise my questions
And thought dawn could really see
The speed in the pale blue light
Muscles, legs, shoes, take flight.