When my son was in kindergarten,

He sometimes loved to sit calmly

At our small dining room table.

At those special times, I understood

How sitting together at eye level

Elevates the ones before us. He

Became my vision of his future.

I saw his humanity. I marveled.

I saw our time together was more

Than posture, patience, and protocols. Etiquette

Expanded time to see each other.

Like other families, we share time

Together to teach each other how

We might travel when we’re apart.

Our table has plenty of room

For us now and for after

We complete our other outside obligations.

When the dinner table is empty,

I still see him before me.