Recently,
we met several times,
but not for long,
just a simple greeting in the street,
your flashing smile,
like a neon ad for Colgate,
and that twinkle in your eye
that spoke of mischief,
impish laughter,
and your joyous love of life.
I was never sure of my ground
when you came on so strong,
never sure of where you stood
and what you were trying to be.
But I loved your laughter and your fun,
I loved your foolish heart,
and the way you ran and danced
like a child running in the park.
But I never told you that:
how much I liked to see you run,
and how I hoped one day
you’d find that thing you were looking for.
I have so many secrets in my heart,
and you hid so much behind that smile:
perhaps if we had shared all we knew,
our hidden pain, our secret fear,
maybe we could have helped each other to be free?
Now all that’s left is hope,
and I hope you found it.
Somewhere, somehow,
in those last moments of time,
as light ran out
and dark ran in,
somehow
I hope you found it.
by Kristin Jack, who lived with his family for 17 years in Cambodia. From his book Poetry and Prophecy
