On Your Birthday

On rain swept days or sun struck mornings

I sit upon this marble bench in your rose garden,

And sigh your name and wonder …

If you can see the mist that clouds my eyes,

If you can feel the beat of my heart quicken

If you can see my body shudder

as I shed these tears,

I cry for you, for all you’ve suffered,

I cry for you, your laughter silenced,

I cry for you, the music ended,

And that the dance you loved is over.

But truth be told,

I cry that this couple won’t grow older.

Although you’ve seen me shed these tears

Most every day for all these years

Since you held me in a warm embrace

I know that you’ve been waiting for me to face,

The fact that you are not returning,

Just give me a few moments more,

To sit upon this marble bench and morn

And close my eyes and once again,

See the woman that I adore,

And leave the facts that I must face,

for the morrow.