Poetry by Benjamin Flores

Edited by Annika Lee

You wake me up 

soft and caring; 

Mama’s cooking us breakfast, 

We eat and enjoy – 

You kiss her and she’s happy, 

smiling even  

You take me to the park, 

we play and we catch – 

a true son and father. 

You tell me stories, 

You ask about me and my life: 

We talk and you listen, 

You give me advice, 

and we drive through the day 

You take me to eat

We enjoy and you don’t complain;

You’re not high or angry, 

frustrated or upset; 

You’re not even mean or rude. 

We laugh throughout, 

We smile, 

I learn and You listen. 

We go home

You kiss her again; 

glittering and alive, 

like one of those families on TV – 

happy: 

We all are.  

It’s night now and I go to bed –  

You tuck me in 

maybe tell me a story, 

my eyes heavy 

and 

heartfelt;

You kiss my forehead: 

No sting of alcohol on your breath 

or 

Your lips

You say you love me 

and goodnight – 

I do the same: 

We are happy. 

If only this was real, 

that’s all I wanted from 

           You.