There’s a gravestone on the back of my mind

They tore it up with the porch my father built

There is dirt in my lungs, choking me into silence,

A jersey covering my face, and “Don’t tell anyone”

There’s a crowd cheering 5 miles away from this backyard

Lightning strikes my shovel and I scream

I never told anyone

Loud and long enough that I can’t hear fireworks anymore

More rocket towards the air like the crack of a home run

There’s a crowd cheering 5 miles away

I never could remember what team he wore

I dig up dead leaves, baseball games, and the Fourth of July

I make promises to the dead that I never keep

I cover the grave and leave ashes where the deck used to be