Good Friday 2012
He is sitting
on the other side of the church
staunch, stoic
When he comes forward in line
I see him in a series of flashback camera stills
11 years old and half his current size
circling on his bike by the cricket net
I don’t feel like coming to practice today, Miss
on Saturday morning whacking it for six
in flapping board shorts and the biggest pads
15 years old
flipping paper balls in my classroom
doodling elaborate tattoos
I watch him now
this young man
step forward and
hongi the cross
breathing deeply, eyes closed
sharing his ihi with the tree of life
and the God who died on it
my heart catches
tears well up
and I smile
this is the pride of a parent
from one who is childless
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