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.
4/21/2008
