49 Poem by RIC BASTASA

You lose this time Victoria
And you hide yourself in a room
Like a puppy frightened by some
Firecrackers,

Is this your first time
Losing what you wish
And love?

I see you shrink in the park
On thick black sunglasses
Your fingers fidgety
Beside your hips

You were walking fast
Almost running
In steps rushing like
Elevator stairs,
Away from everyone
Who knows you,

This must be your first time,
Losing,
But you will soon recover,
Tears will dry
And the trembling will soon be over,
You will calm down
On some anti-anxiety drugs,

Relax,
you will soon recover,
But there will be more
Losses to follow,

The thing is
We cannot avoid learning this art
Of losing & recovering,

This is life, Victoria
Welcome, and learn with me,
I will lead you and tell more stories
About myself,
When I was your age
Of questioning and resistance
Like a little child
So confused.