SASHA AND MALIA

remember your time in the castle

your fingers dragging along the walls

down the corridors

playing jump-jump over

ornate picture frames

of 43 white

and your daddy

remember your daddy

and your mama

and how their tears

were not your business

and their hugs

were still their hugs

and their kisses

made a cold place warm

and grandma still smelling

like powder and

dish soap and

discipline and

anchor

remember your time in the castle

remember playing catch me

if you can around the pillars

as you grow into them

as you grow into you

and go into you

and go out into

your world

and as you pack

remember

please remember us

and leave some laughter

tucked in your daddy’s desk drawer

and some greasy hair-ties

around the doorknobs

and your toys

hidden like amulets

under the tuft