The Wedding

At your cousin's wedding

your mother and her sisters

talked of husbands no longer there.

Their eyes whispered,

"Do not be so cautious,

for even love that lasts

is lost."

They wore bangles

bought by men

they thought they would know

forever,

dresses made of silk

they would trade for one last

memory.

A diamond for a touch,

for one warm breath upon a face

lined by time.

A thousand recollections

floating in a champagne stem,

held in trembling hands

that once touched

skin and lips and

never thought about

goodbye

Let us love, you and I,

while we have time

and life and each other,

and drink a toast

to remember.

~ Elodie Pritchartt

4/21/2008