Janus

Janus is the Roman God of beginnings.

That’s where I’ll start.

He entered my life at the very beginning,

Held me as a baby just born.

Janus is the God of transitions,

He helped me take my first steps, ride my first bike.

Janus is the God of gates, doors and passages,

I suppose that is fitting,

Passing in and out only on occasion.

When he lived across the city,

No longer at the end of the hallway

Only my stuffed toys kept watch at night.

I saw him once a week,

Through the gates of the park we played fetch with the dogs and catch with each other.

I always suspected he wanted a boy.

Janus is the God of endings.

When it’s time to go home,

When the ice cream runs out,

When the golden leaves fall,

I turn my keys in the lock and look behind me,

He waves goodbye from the car.