God gave us memory so that we might have roses in December. ~James M. Barrie
This is the last time, whispered sweetly,
leaning in, close to my ear
so that only I would hear.
This is the last time, make a memory.
And so I did: wrapped
up in September’s sunshine, kept
safe, a treasure, this simple act,
an expression of love so strong
my heart longs
to hold you back
even as you walk away from me
towards tomorrows I will not see.
There is a story behind this poem—aren’t there always? I considered telling it in this post but I think I will let this poem stand alone for a few days before I write about what prompted the poem in order to let it become what it will for whoever takes the time to read it. I like to make some of my poems a bit ambiguous as to their subject and just try to capture the emotions that surround the situation. Do you think I have managed that with this one? Who do you think whispered this in my ear? What was “the last time?” Why are they walking away?
The picture I used to illustrate this poem is one I took of the sun shining on the leaves in the courtyard of my building in September of 2008 when we had stellar fall colors. I titled it September’s Sunshine and thought it would be a good companion for this poem. It even illustrates this weeks photo challenge “Through” since the sun is shining through the leaves.
Thanks for reading…
Barbara Gavin-Lewellyn
