Between the Bookends




I remember the first glance

that turned into a gaze 
I sat down across from her
a row or two behind
so I could see her
she turned a few times to look back at me
I was fascinated by the spark
when our eyes met
it was magnetic in that
it was hard to look away
I remember the first touch
not the one where I sat behind her
playing with her hair
but her hand touching mine
as we spoke a few weeks later
and again at youth night
outside the church 
on the walk beside the lot
the touch that went right through me
like an electric shock
I remember the first kiss
and the taste of her lips
the way her fingernails pulled against my neck
and the way she didn't let go of my hand
when I started to move away
I remember our last kiss all the more
on the same day that I lost her
the taste of her lips
the fragrance of her 
the fingernails on my neck
the hesitation to let go
and I moved toward the door
kisses like bookends
on the book of our life
filled with stories of love and dedication
heartbreak and sorrow
triumph and failure
sometimes trouble outside our door
but no walls between us 
ever
and no secrets
always with truth
and quick to forgive 
she made our life together
a little glimpse of heaven
it's hard to believe that life could go on without her
but it does

 

About the Author
I was born in 1957 as one of 6 kids. It was a great childhood, we were a close family and those of us who remain still are. I met the love of my life in 1975, she was my first girlfriend and my last. we were married in 1977 and remained happily so until her sudden death in 2014. I've always written to her, and she to me. Even after her loss I still write for her even though I don't know if she sees
I'm Grieving, Now What?