Shirley

When you were on your feet
You were the best chef in the family.
Fixing dinners for two
Or four, or six,
and so on.
Full of life,
This sense of pride
Rushed in
When you visited last night,
Slipping through the window
With the cool night air.
Whispering of care and concern
Acting as my guide
On our night voyage.
You flew me to Washington
Like some kind of prophet,
Your mere presence
Filling my body with love.
Then you revealed the story –
Harsh words revolving
Around a lost soul.
While a dizzying storm was brewing,
Your lover waited for you
Somewhere between twinkling eyes
And sleepless nights.
And you knew
The flame was almost out.



Tanzen Lilly, January 2014