Waiting for Rafael

Waiting for Rafael beneath the tree
gazing at the gate where I dropped him off this morning.

In my loneliness, my feet are taking
root just like the tree; my arms weary like its branches.

Soon, birds will find it proper to nest in me
and ants will feed on my blood like sweet sticky sap.

Soon, my waist will be a trunk wide enough for lumber
and they will cut me to make tables and chairs.

I send out whispers “Rafael, I am here”
and hope he’d whisper back “I’d be right there, daddy!”

Copyright ©2006 Ronnie C. Cabañes