Did you?

Dear James, Where did you go?  We've been worried about you here.  You came once, and it was like you were returning, But for the first time.  We had never met you, but We missed you before you arrived.  We saw your heart there within your head, Guarded by speech and intellect, But never did we see its substance.  Was it flesh?  Was it blood?  Was it stone or fire or ice?  Did you ever extend it to us?  Did you ever remove it from the Depths of your protective mind, Swaddled like a newborn child, And hold it out to us in the palm of your hand?  If you did, why didn't we see?  Did we see?  Did you? When you needed us, did you ask for help?  Did you silently beg and plead for our aid?  Did you scream at us from the depths of your Hidden heart, the noise echoing in the Cluttered caverns of your brain and ours?  If you did, why didn't we hear?  Did we hear? Did you? Where did you go, James?  You left us once...you returned again.  You left us twice...you returned again.  You left us thrice.  And thrice returned, Each time more determined than before to Fight the nameless enemy we never knew.  Where did you go?  Did you tell us?  Did you tell us that you were on an island paradise?  Did you tell us that you were in the big city, Soaking up culture and Broadway musicals?  Did you tell us that you were in the hospital getting better?  Did you get sick, James?  Did you fall to the same sickness that claimed Neil?  If so, why didn't we know?  Did we know? Did you? Did you know that We still hear your Voice in our dreams sometimes?  That We hear the voice of a broken man Trapped in a child's body, crying for a brother lost?  Did you?James...I don't know where you are. But I talked to Hana tonight, and we miss you. I hope you are doing okay. This poem is dedicated to Neil. Written April 6th, 2002 © on Apr 05 2002 06:16 PM PST   18 • 0 • 1