In this One…

In this one he is wearing a sailor suit—
a gift from his Great Aunt Bernice.

He is one year old
and he smiles at the camera
with the unconscious innocence of youth.

He graduated from college this year…
 Commonwealth Scholar…
  Summa Cum Laude.

Twenty-two years of life…
 and, yes—
  there are other photos…
   But I carry this one.

Twenty-one years of memories and images
 I carry in my heart.

But this was taken the year he learned to walk...
 the year he spoke his first words...
 the year I was away at war...
  the year that is not in my heart.

---

Note:
Written in 2012.