Tu Me Manques

Tu me manques


I was already taller than you
my french was bad, but we were working on it
"Quand est ton anniversaire?"
Mon anniversaire, c'est le neuf août.

you make me say it two more times in french and again in english
my pronunciation must be awful
a smile so big and a hug that nearly crushes me
left unexplained
it isn't until you finish telling the whole class a story
about second grade and the birthday crown
and how you lied so you could wear it but your mean cousin tattled on you
and you tell me as we all leave
"that's my birthday, too."

ten years later my french is still terrible
but five minutes to midnight on august 8th
and I can remember the words that I need.


Joyeux anniversaire, Professeur Beaulieu.