What You Were
who was the one to tie your shoes
when you couldn't figure out the loops?
who was the one who stayed up late
and sat inside on the couch
in front of tv shows that I'd be too young to know about?
and when the slumber party boys
had the audacity to dare you
did you swim across the pond?
did you climb the fence to walk among the deadened graveyards?
"˜cause I'm not sure of what you were
and there are shadows on the wall
that look like things they really aren't
my fingertips pressed together make a bird fly
two jars on a countertop in front of a nightlight paint the skyline
and when my mom was pregnant with me
did you sign to her the songs that you learned from the choir?
and did you wonder what to name me?
did you wonder what I'd make of you when I became alive?
"˜cause I'm not sure of what you were