By his grave she stood, tears uncontrolled,

Should have been easier now, losing her soul.

Ancient in heart fallen years in age, time gone,

He promised forever. He left her. Now she is all alone.

The years unkind she mourned her man ever more,

She lost her smile, she lost the beat that made her heart soar.

Her life could not be recaptured no matter how hard she tried,

And as she laid the flowers on his grave, a rainbow of tears she cried.

Her eyes closed and memories journeyed her thoughts,

Eyes met, smiles touched, a sharpness of breath caught.

She lost sight of him as the crowd jostled her around,

A Saturday night, and the circus had come to town.

She looked to and fro, here and yon, but he had disappeared,

So sad, but why? Just a stranger passing, just a thought, why the tears?

Just turned fifteen, just a girl crush she never got over, a heart never to mend,

Her home was a two room cabin, ma, pa, and her dog was her best friend.

Walked to school each day, sometimes barefoot, sometimes not,

On her way home stopped by Miller’s Pond when it was hot.

This day she did. Hiked up her dress and stuck her feet in,

Shivering a might, the water was more cold than it had ever been.

A loud splash startled her the water rippled and waved,

He rose with a laugh and she shouted, “Oh you best behave.”

She shook her finger but her smile was one he adored,

That started their life together, swam, married, loved, never got bored.

They never had any children, did not have much of anything,

Just a two room cabin, a big porch, and a tire swing.

He worked steady every day, kept her happy and loved,

She sank to the ground, and removed her white gloves.

Placing the flowers in the dirt she planted them with her hands,

And got dirt in the crack of her makeshift wedding band.

He always said he wanted to do it up right and get her one that was real,

But she was happy enough with the bolt made of steel.

She held up her hand and stared for a moment at her ring,

This little bolt had her heart. It meant everything.

He found it on the ground at a church picnic by the river,

A cloud passed over, she felt a touch and began to shiver.

It was not fear, it was not anger, nor was it rage, but love’s touch

She wanted one more kiss, one more hug, one more I love you so much.

Her bones were aching, stiff, and tired, but she no longer cared

Her tears mixed with the dirt, come darkness she still lay there.

Morning come, sun rose, but her body never stirred,

The grave keeper beckoned her rise, but from her mouth nary a word.

The angels had come to escort her to the love of her life,

Only a moment’s part, now together forever, man and wife.

© Cynthia Clark