A Day to Remember

A day to remember, is a day of rest.

It is the memory we hold in darkest of times.

To have but a day to remember,

for everyone. That is my behest.

For the little girl afraid of the huge monkey bars;

may she climb it and one day conquer mountains.

For the boy struggling to catch up,

may he out run even the fastest.

To climb a mountain may seem impossible.

But we've all conquered the impossible.

We've swallowed those ever delicate trills of fear.

We do it so we don't have to drown ourselves in beer or bongs.

I have nothing against alcohol, but memories make us strong

We run faster, climb higher, and sing louder to slate the anger in our bellies.

We don't want to fail.

That small step. That first fear.

It's what keeps us here.

When I was eight I climbed a tree. 

Full of stumps it was... easy.

But I got high and one look south,

There was no way down.

My path had vanished,

Sweat slicked my palms.

I screamed.

"PAPI!"

Over and over until my dad came out.

Walking calmly to me.

Craning his neck to see.

"Help me down!" I begged.

He shrugged.

"You got up, you can get back down."

I watched in horror as he turned away,

waiting for him to say,

"Just kiddin'. I'll help down."

But no way no how.

Slowly, carefully, inch by inch.

I trembled down the 'nolia.

I fell once I reached the bare truck.

My back hit the grass.

But no itches and no scratches.

I was surprised to be alive.

My father watching from inside.

Oblivious, I climbed again.

That day lives on; in my mind.

Because of it, I've conquered fears,

Yes, I've cried, I've hit brick walls.

But it's days to remember which keep us tall.