back to school

it is back to school time
and mothers everywhere feign weeping
“my baby is growing up too fast!” they mourn

they do not understand an alternate ending exists
one where age becomes a fixed and permanent thing

they do not understand that to watch your child grow is a gift
a gift which is ripped away for many of us

and that for us time now stands forever still
as we wave goodbye to empty seats on the bus

and blow kisses to ghosts
that will never come back home