I remember the day
we went shopping
you and me

I remember
the shining sun
your pretty hair
the radio blasting loud

I was small
and you were big
with pretty blue eyes
blue eyes I wanted to own

I remember when
you parked the car
and opened the door
I tripped and fell
down, hard

I remember
gravel and pavement
your scream
the way my head throbbed

I was hurt
and you were scared
with pretty blue eyes
blue eyes I wanted to own

I remember you calling
Daddy on the payphone
spare change found between the seats

I remember
your tears
his muffled voice
the arms wrapped around me

I was okay
and you sighed
with pretty blue eyes
blue eyes I wanted to own

I remember
the drive
we went to McDonald’s
you and I

I remember
your laugh
melting ice cream
sticky napkins

I was happy
and so were you
with pretty blue eyes
blue eyes I wanted to own

I remember
church
the next day
all the ladies looked at my bruise

I remember
the one who said
“Brown eyes?
But Gracie has blue!”

Snickers
jokes
of milk men and past lovers
things I didn’t understand

and Mommy pulled me away
and I looked at her face while she carried me

Pretty hair
Pretty nose
Pretty lips
and Pretty cheeks

but most of all
Pretty blue eyes
blue eyes I never would own