Max Reif - Happy Birthday, Nikki

Max Reif - Happy Birthday, Nikki

I liked the patches br on the back of your jeans, br and almost before I knew it, br we were together. br br That was 1971. br November 10 still never passes br without my remembering it's your birthday br br even though at the time br I thought I might be just in it for the lust br that was driving me crazy; br even though I was on anti-depressants; br even though walking to the bank br in South Bend in the winter sun br the morning after our first night, br I realized I had no idea how to live. br br I have the picture of you br and your 2 year-old cherub, br lovely madonna and child, br he's almost middle-aged now. br br Gifts you gave me still endure, br even material ones, br the Judy Collins Songbook br and the antique candle-holder Mom has. br br Saw you in the early '90s br driving through there, br we met for breakfast, br you looked great. br br I wrote you afterward, br you never replied, br but at least you knew how I felt. br br That night in San Mateo br when I made you get out br to catch your plane, br of course I didn't want to do it. br Took me a year and a half br to come out of the depression br after stopping the pills br because on them I felt br I couldn't really be there for you. br br If I'd been a lot more myself, br who knows? But every year br like clockwork, November 10, br I remember.


User: PoemHunter.com

Views: 11

Uploaded: 2014-11-07

Duration: 01:53

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