Eternal sentinels

[Keith]

Edit 1 AJ

The cardboard teddy
had a yellow silk ribbon
that taught you big boy laces.
He saved me from dizzy spots
and button pops,
when bending down to double knot.

Your army boots had eighteen eyes,
some missing from the cleat,
no ears to listen for the click.
They brought your body back,
the man said incomplete.

At two years old,
we stole first steps
on painted paper sheets,
so when we hide you underground;
I’ll give you back your feet.

Original
The cardboard teddy bear
had a yellow ribbon,
you learned to tie laces.
He saved me from eye spots
and button pops,
when bending down to double knot.

Your army boots had eighteen eyes,
some missing from the cleat,
no ears to listen for the click.
They brought your body back
the man said incomplete.

Two years old,
we painted steps,
on laminated blue sheets,
and when we hide you, underground,
I’ll give you back your feet.