Springsteen

I'm 14. 
And I just saw Bruce Springsteen
Live for the first time. 

I've loved him and his music since I was 6. 
I've listened to him religiously since I was 7. 
Bfore covid when I was 8 I would listen to 
Born in the USA while driving 
With my dad 
In the Texas hill country, 
We would sing Dancing in the Dark
at the top of our lungs and I got to sing it
Again with him last night. 

When I was 9 
I would listen to him on my dad's old iPod 
With my neighbor who was the same age as me. 

When I was 10 I listened to 
Letter to You so many times 
that by the time he played it 
Last night I knew every single lyric, 
Every single pause, 
Everything.

When I was 11 we had a project 
Where we made cardboard cutouts 
Of musicians we admired
For an elective music class, 
I made Springsteen. 
My music teacher still has it 
And sends me photos of it 
Sitting in his kitchen regularly . 

When I was 14 I cried to I’ll see you in my dreams. 
And last night when he played it 
I cried again 
But not tears of regret 
Or longing 
Tears of joy 
And fulfillment 

Last night
I made the 6-year-old happy 
And every other version of me 
And all the moments and memories 
Springsteen brought 
Flood back into my mind 
As if I forgot about this version of myself