dinners

I could follow you around
more than I do
I could keep up with sports
and read the
other news

but it's always been
the dinners that matter
plates stacked on the counter
cold pepsis in the fridge

you love
your own cooking
she always told you that
you love almost
everything
I can tell you that

my heart goes out
to iron hands, knuckles
that want to keep going
jokes that want
to keep cracking
so

when I hear
those old stories
when I wear your old shoes
I know
that safely
I will become you