Puzzle

Sitting at this
Small kitchen table
The one I assembled
As you slept

You know, the one I tied
To the top of my aged Civic
The one I saved weeks to buy
So we could sit together

You smile as I pull the
Box out of the closet
"That one is my favorite, dad!"
You say with a squeal

Of course, I grin
"That's why I chose it."
Because I care
Because all I want
Is for you to be happy

I savor my morning coffee
I am not quite awake
But I am totally present
Here with you
Just you, me, and this puzzle

It never mattered
How many pieces it had
Or how long it took to finish

And when it was done
We always left it on the table
All weekend long

Because that's all the time
We had together
You and I

How I miss those days
How I miss you...

As I put away these
Puzzle pieces
Somehow I put away
Pieces of my heart

I don't know when
We will finish another
I don't think it will be
Quite the same

But I do look forward
To that day
And I hope you
Remember...
Our brief times together

We will leave
This puzzle for now
Resting in storage
Along with that small table

And when we are together again
I will pull that box out of the closet
You know the one...

And we will sit down once more
Just you, me, and this puzzle