The feet still remember, br the eyes may have lost bearing, br the buildings are new, br the feel of the pebbles the same. br br Hands clasp themselves, br Sweat mingling with fear, br The rib cage shakes, br With questions unasked. br br Twenty years ago, br Two hundred and fourty months back, br A zillion minutes away, br I had been here. br br I had held his hands, br Stopped my tears in their tracks, br Smiled the smile of adults, br Hollow and meaningless. br br Words had dried up, br Those words I always had in store, br How could I explain my absence, br To those haunting eyes. br br I had shored up my courage, br Told him of my new life, br Of new children, br Of new dreams. br br Betrayal. Pain. Love. br He felt them all, br His touch br So transparent. br br That hate I felt, br For myself, br Corroded me, br For all those years. br br Today I will beg forgiveness. br Hold those same hands, br Weep br And pray that he is not like his father.