Poem: Once in a While

she allows a shadowed,
neglected corner
of her heart
to recall, rethink,
remember

a love long expired
(decades ago)

and his red Converse high-tops,
his indigo Irish knit sweater,
his full beard and fake English accent,
his tuna noodle casserole topped with crushed Ruffles chips,

and his sturdy, all-encompassing embrace
which always seemed to say,

I’m here.
For you.
Now.

This article appears in August 2009.