Like Poem by Kewayne Wadley

At times like this, I sit back and wonder.
If your really as broke as you claim.
I've listened to you like, a thousand times.
And in those moments. I like the you that presents yourself as selfless.
The way your tone is at its most sincere.
Bringing me back to a time in my own life I wish I could revisit.
Trapped by a single thought. not truly knowing what life is.
Like, before everything became so complex.
Like, The way you use to wear your hair before the perms began.
Like, all bushy like and thick.
When the only consequence was not being in the house before the street lights came on. Or if you got into your mothers make up.
Like, having to wait until tomorrow to laugh and play. Not thinking about the convenience of a phone.
What would we have talked about.
With our little clothes. Way too skinny to fit into them all the way.
Like, the times you weren't afraid to be yourself. Pleading with your mom to let you stay outside a few minutes longer, Playing with boy toys.
Tossing ken to the side for a ninja turtle to better suit your barbie.
Before we knew the difference between like, and like like.
Before the perfect edges on the dresser became worn. Dull.
Trying to turn our rooms into the Olympics. The whooping that soon followed by a thick leather belt.
Times like this.
I've listened to you like, over a thousand times.
And in these moments
Is when those big bright eyes
Glow the brightest.
As I remind you.
That you are not broken
Like, not in the least