Jean

by Dedra Keller

In memory of you, by your 14 year old cousin.


Everyday that passes-
It seems like yesterday
Our 14 and 16 year old
“profound” talk-
Our boyfriends and-
Home-sewn dresses

Jean, Jean with the light brown hair and-
Blue, blue eyes-
Those eyes!

Oh! How I love
Your white, white smile-
Curve of your lip
Like crescent’s glowing moon

Jean, Jean with the light brown hair and-
Blue, blue eyes-
Those eyes!

My coach-proud
Wiped my tears
When dad died
We sat silently
And looked-
And never spoke
Just- looked- just looked
At the ground

Jean, Jean with the light brown hair and-
Blue, blue eyes-
Those eyes!

It was a young girl’s fall-
Leaves of dancing colors
Goblins chattering
With gritty, worn-out teeth-
Gnashing, gnashing
You were told-
Malignant

Jean, Jean with the light brown hair and-
Blue, blue eyes-
Those eyes!

Life has just begun-
“How is this possible?” you ask.
-Falling-falling to the ground

Jean, Jean with the light brown hair and-
Blue, blue eyes-
Those eyes!

This song-on the radio!
It was written for you!
“Jean, Jean,” a Scottish lilt light, bright-
It plays in my head
Over again-Over
And I hope-
Just hope…

Jean, Jean with the light brown hair and-
Blue, blue eyes-
Those eyes!

You are NEVER afraid-
Ever confident!
Flowing, flying hair
Amongst the breezes
Leaves-airborne!
The sky, so blue-
Blue just like those eyes.

Jean, Jean with the light brown hair and-
Blue, blue eyes-
Those eyes!

Home- you have come home
I look- just look
At hollow eyes, hollow eyes
Blue, hollow eyes
Airborne hair- light brown-
-GONE-
Brown light hair, brown marks blotch your face-
Your beautiful face-
That beautiful face

Jean, Jean with the light brown hair and-
Blue, blue eyes-
Those eyes!

“It’s OK!” you tell me-
Noble boyfriend never left your side
“He’s noble!”
You tell me, “I am still intact-
look I’m still intact!”

Jean, Jean with the light brown hair and-
Blue, blue eyes-
Those eyes!

Crescent moon shines-
Dancing with the dark
Covers a part- a part of that beautiful face-
Such a beautiful face!

Jean, Jean with the light brown hair and-
Blue, blue eyes-
Those eyes!

It’s a silent- cold, dark park when-
A shiver runs down my spine-
Electric feet racing, racing home-
She’s gone
She’s gone

Jean, Jean white bright moon-
Blue- blue eyes blue- blue sky.