crossing this river

for the first time —

she takes my hand

the sun in my mind

still bouncing off the lake

long hours later

new weather report —

faces tilted up to feel

the snow coming down

ready for bed —

she puts the really loud watch

in a drawer

hole in the page

where you tried to erase —

battle memories

(For all those we have asked to fight on our behalf.)

cursing the driver

who brakes to a sudden stop —

until I see deer

cloud darkened days  —

trading stories of divorce 

we shiver a bit

how did you know?

we smile, happy to answer

one more time

the one red tree

in a hillside blazing gold —

goodnight, Catherine



(for Catherine Perry, member, Princeton Friends Meeting)