it was you all along



your presence keeps inserting itself into my memories
distant pasts that preceded you
a trip to Nicaragua
i vaguely recall you running on the beach
of San Juan del Sur bay
sand dancing out from under your feet
my first trip to Thailand
swimming in the sea off Koh Phangan
weren't you there with me?

surely as an unfertilized egg
some cells that would later become you
a space in my uterus that would grow your
bones and eyelashes.

did i ever exist without you?
i recall you on motorbike
trips through rice field-patched mountainsides
i feel you there with me as
i recollect lazy afternoons
at Bellwood's Park.

were you the strength i found
that helped me walk away?

were you the truth i found
that helped bring me back?

all along
you were there
my tiny but mighty
heartbeat.

it was you all along.