Isn’t this the way it is
after 25 years
lying next to each other
when one stirs, the other
half-awake murmurs
in her half-awake voice
hmmm, good night sweetie
and you turn
your face in her hair wondering
is it the shampoo or perfume,
Antonio’s Flowers?
that makes you think of nothing
but her blue eyes, how she held you
in that first gaze a little too long
and that unexpected laugh
when she learned your mother
and her favorite doll
had the same name. I love you
you say to the back of her head
to the sound of even breathing
bodies two peninsulas separated
by a sea of pets, all drifting into sleep
Isn’t that the way it is?
after 25 years
lying next to each other
when one stirs, the other
half-awake murmurs
in her half-awake voice
hmmm, good night sweetie
and you turn
your face in her hair wondering
is it the shampoo or perfume,
Antonio’s Flowers?
that makes you think of nothing
but her blue eyes, how she held you
in that first gaze a little too long
and that unexpected laugh
when she learned your mother
and her favorite doll
had the same name. I love you
you say to the back of her head
to the sound of even breathing
bodies two peninsulas separated
by a sea of pets, all drifting into sleep
Isn’t that the way it is?