astronaut

 

One day, my grandmother was talking to me
And I wasn't listening, sinking, with the loud music 
Playing over my headphones.

It wasn't the first time I had failed to listen
And regretfully not the last either.
I wish now that I had savoured every word
Every breath, every pause, every sigh.
Sigh. 

She said, you look like an astronaut 
with that thing on your head
And I burst into mocking laughter
Have you never seen an astronaut, Ammumma?

No, she replied, I never have.
But that is not what I meant.
With the music drowning out the words I say
You're worlds away from me. 

And now I'm sitting here
And you're worlds away from me
All I have is this song
To take me where you are. 

I sink again, 
my bones crumble
and I reach you. 

I am an astronaut once again. 
And you are the moon.