you were there for me once upon a time,
    in sleepless nights and ungodly hours,
                and forgotten wishes made on shooting stars.

you were there for me once upon a time,
                in empty rinks at midnight,
    and fractured memories of a better time.

your sparkling eyes wink back at me whenever i fall,
a starburst of flashing streetlights and glittering stars,
filled with infinite opportunities and unfulfilled dreams,
with stores to explore and people to meet,
and it always felt as if you were healing my broken heart with your blinding colors.

your voice is an orchestra,
made of a toddler’s excited squeals and a young man’s silent tears,
made of a mother’s soft lullabies and a businesswoman’s clicking heels,
made of honking cars and laughing schoolchildren.
it cannot be silenced,
no matter how hard they may try to force your mouth shut.

you are the long walks at night,
the glances out the window of a glass rink,
the prayers from my balcony.  

in the end, i want to thank you,
for growing up with me and teaching me everything i know,
and for being a part of me i’ll never forget.