But he's just sitting there...doing nothing!

“But he just sits there…not doing anything…”

“I’m not just sitting here...

I’m re-running down flower filled pathways on the way to school yelling at my friends that I’ll get there first

I’m re- smothering the liver and onions in mash potatoes so I can choke it down and get my pudding

I’m re-exploring the train yards with my mate looking for the sparkle of wartime treasure

I’m re-heading off to college slightly hungover from a night out with the mates

I’m re-blushing from a chance encounter with the girl down the street

I’m re- purchasing my first car and careening down the road jubilant and reckless

I’m re- meeting the love of my life for the first time

I’m re-visiting the I do’s with the person who has stayed with me all my life

I’m re-promoted at work, the echo of the swell of pride and the buzz of a new challenge

I’m re-panicking as I hold the tiny body of my first child and others to come

I’m re-researching a move to a different country and re-learning how to start over

I’m re-retiring and re-imagining the extra time to go hunting and not having to get up with an alarm

I’m re-helping my growing children with their own families and re-worrying for their future

I’m re-building decks and re-swinging on porches

I’m re-realizing my time is dwindling

I’m not just sitting here…

I’m re-living.

Mary-Anne Parker May 2 2022