We Knew
by Michael Owens


We lived in
this military town a week
when we met our
son’s
new best friend.

Todd standing in the door
put one arm high
on door jam
the other flowing
to his hip.

Dressed in
Converse red high top
his mother's bright
flower print dress
long white beads
dangly earrings
a smile to stop traffic
long well brushed hair.

We knew

His parents
did not.

He moved out of their house,
lived with us a year.

Now age forty
name changed.
Zoey is out.

Of their lives
and we take
her in
again.






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