Author Information
"Looking Up"
by Jeph Johnson
Every night since you've gone
I've looked up.
Walking back home from where I am now, I go to where we were then.
Ursa Major was our point of reference.
Elbowing one another on a summer night each time a shooting star flashed passed.
On a backyard blanket we'd point and squint at faint blip sattellites traversing the heavens.
I remember arguing that they might have little green men inside.
"Maybe," you said.
I was just overimagining but you knew the only answer necessary was acknowledging a little boy's curiosity.
Meteorologists call it rain. But really it's a process where my tears can combine with everyone else who remembers and nature can collectively process the pain.
I take a break from the rest of the world with these walks
Every day since you've gone
I've looked up.
Walking home from where I was then, I arrive to where I am now.
As I grow older the clouds only look like clouds.
But back then we'd walk together pointing.
"That one looks like a turtle" I said.
"It really does" you smiled.
That was all I needed...
Confirmation that we were together in spirit.
Looking up reminds me we still are.
