Ribbons
dad was trying to remember a song the other night over dinner
they were debating which of them loved some artist from the ‘70s
he went over the lyrics as we ate, music burning the fog from his memory
a guy writes from prison to the girl he loves about the day he’ll soon be free
he asks her to tie a ribbon round the tree outside her house if she still wants him
but dad couldn’t remember how it ends, so we kept eating
then suddenly, dinner plate in hand, he finds his feelings
bus driver, please look for me ‘cause I couldn’t bear to see what I might see
he’s looking into my eyes but he’s someone else
now the whole damn bus is cheering and I can’t believe I see
sobs of laughter come to him from nowhere
a hundred yellow ribbons round the old oak tree
and it looks like he’s come up for air
but from where?
how long had he been down there?
Daniel Jonusas is a young poet, activist and facilitator. In his day job, he uses neuroscience to help technical experts collaborate more effectively to resolve problems that lead to climate change. His poetry explores the dissonance of loving the Earth for the belonging it grants us while partaking in its destruction.