Friday, December 18, 2009

Napping in My Recliner

You are here with me.
We are smiling,
Looking into each other’s eyes.
We say nothing.
Just stare and smile,
Laughing now and then.
I feel warm, happy.
You are young, like the day we were married.
Am I old? I don’t know.
The only reflection I can find is the one in your eyes.
Love is staring back at me, and I don’t want to look away.

But something startles me, and your image fades.
I look around at my surroundings…
A lighted Christmas tree with your flashing red bells
In a dim room that is very familiar.
Everything is still except those flashing lights
And the swinging of the pendulum on the clock.
I look to my left, but your chair is empty.
I feel the weight of my age bearing down on me again,
But it doesn’t compare to the ache I feel in my heart,
Knowing that another Christmas approaches,
And you are just a dream.

My soul searches for you but only finds you in dreams.
And I will live for dreams until we are together again.

Erin Elizabeth Cloar December 18, 2009