A lot can happen in a year

He returns home. Lover? Maybe. Children? Maybe.

Uncertain if he will even be returning to the right address.

About a year now. A lot can happen in a year.

He kisses her. How he had survived without one every

Morning is beyond him. Small talk. How have you been? 

How is school? How’s your mother? Neighbours? Did you have a good

Easter? What did you get for your birthday? A sunny August?

He retreats upstairs. The curtains are beige now.

The bed clothes changed. The wallpaper cream.

The dressing table... further to the right, by an invisible mirror.

An outsider. Alienated in his own room. Memories, forgotten memories.

Jonathon’s room. The teletubbies... gone.

On the door, A for apple; B for banana; C for cat...

All grown up now. The cot stolen, Replaced with a strangely

Familiar bed. His grandfather’s. Rest in Peace William.

A lot can happen in a year.

Back in the living room for dinner now. A proper dinner.

Light hearted conversations, as he sits with extended family, singing

To carols. A year of loss, courage, violence, fear. He stares at the beautiful view;

Smiles on every member. A reward. One he will not take for granted because he knows

A lot can happen in a year.

Jonathon looks at him, he sees his whole life before him in the glisten

of curious eyes. Daddy where have you been?

Proudest man in the universe, he replies I have been away protecting the country.

Simple.

Just like a superhero

A wild imagination

He will have to leave soon

Another year; changes to come. His wife’s blonde hair. His son’s

stabilizer’s. The little things. Who knows.

A lot can happen in a year.