In the quiet of grey dawn--grey like we are getting, your hand held mine.
I don't know what meant more: that your hand had searched me out
or how safe you helped me feel
Waking up to these brittle mean times we live in
with you by my side.
I thought back on yesterday.
Girl giggles propelled the youth group around the aisles of Publix
K and C and K, lovely young girls
Three blonde beauties that many eyes followed
On a mission for snacks.
Me, I was content to be able to walk
however unsteadily, still making friends with my new hip.
Making my peace with the new contours of my middle age.
Amused, indulging the girls their silliness and fun
their self-conscious and weird sense of high drama:
"OH. MY. GOD. WE CAN MAKE BLUE POPCORN!!!!
(me thinking "why?")
I'd be lying if I didn't confess relief
Getting to the end of this shopping adventure.
Glad to have cash register in sight.
And then. There you were, getting in line ahead of us.
So familiar. Still shockingly, solidly, unexpectedly you.
The man I love. All I could do was smile and try to breathe.
