a poem by Wolfgang Carstens

a question of nothingness

"where was i before i was born?"
my son asks.

"you were a part of me,"
i answer.

"where will i go when i die?"

"you will again become a part of me.
we've always been together," i say.
"we will always be together."

"will you bring me back to life
when i die?" my son asks.

"yes," i answer,
"i'll always bring you back to life."

"and if you die," he says,
"i'll bring you back to life."

"then you will be my daddy," i say.

"yes," he says,
happy in this thought.

"wonderful," i say,
thankful that the serious questions
have passed.
as my son runs back outside to play
this question of nothingness
surfaces like an ugly, unseen monster
and i think: if only it were that simple.

© by Wolfgang Carstens

 
Gutter Eloquence Magazine ~ Issue #10 ~ July 2010