#5

The Visit

Today 

your face

was smiling

and you were soft
in a way
I have rarely seen before

It was 11:00am
you were in your nightgown
satin-lined collar, slippers
even that seemed elegant

Time whispered beneath the linen curtains
I wished I could close it out
lock the window and door
tell them not to bother
or disturb you.

Please.
This porcelain frame and face
with a lion's heart
is so tired
so worn
by each beat
of her ragged heart
each step
of her perfect foot and frame
my grandfather so adored.

I hold your hand on the couch
you had tucked it between the cushions
your skin so soft and familiar
like love itself

I tried to take you in:
A dusky wisp of cloud
a sail, the breeze, a wing.
Each reaching for me
with what seemed like
their last light.

Time, march away.
Hold her up
for one moment
more.

We'll drink you down with a glass a Champagne.
We'll drive that MG, hard and fast, over the hill.
We'll march in the mini-skirt off of the plane.
We'll tell him we love him.
We'll shock them with our strength and boldness
for you.

We will live

for you

we will live l o u d

for you

we will remember.

Time
be present now.
call all your sentinels
to witness
this life, exquisite.

This one
wild woman
in a glass castle

holding still
against the tide.


-Llora H. Kressmann