I’ve gone ahead and moved forward in life with those I can.
But I still treasure the frozen-in-time memories of those who ran.

Today, I wished for something I know, at least for now, can never be.
She’s still young, so I have faith that one day she’ll reach out to me.

I see the resemblance in her fly-away hair and heart-shaped chin.
With tiny hands planted firmly on her hips, she’s my mighty munchkin.

Then I asked myself how many years it would take — nine or maybe ten.
Add them to my already ancient self; no respite for the unwitting tragedienne.

One day, you will wonder if I ever thought of you or who you were to me.
Every day, I think of you and curse the deliberate chopping down of our family tree.

The sunset was before me, the airport runway to the left.

The wind blew through my tightly coiffed bun as I drove with the top down in my electric blue Karmann Ghia.

I adored the car, but I hated that it was his absolution payoff.

A recompense ensuring that I would keep my mouth shut.

At twenty, it was the happiest day of my life.

Free from all that weighed me down.

Emancipated.     Liberated.      Extricated.

Free from him at long last.