footsteps

the footsteps
that you hear
up the staircase
is your son
at three at four
at five. a ball
against
the wall, a game
in his hand.
his voice asking
what's for
dinner, dad.
the footsteps
that you hear
now, are your
own, as you hold
the phone
and speak to him
on another coast
finding his
own way up
his stairs and
happy for what
there was.