232. NOTHING IS FOREVER

232. 

NOTHING IS FOREVER

She sets out a vase of spiky pink coneflowers

while Judy Collins croons "Forever Young."

Nothing lasts, she thinks, especially not youth.

Her life passing, the days rush forward 

too swiftly to stop. She wonders how 

she has come to be here, at this place in time.

Much later, lonely in the silent night,

she reaches for her husband's hand,

listens to his soft, muffled breathing,

soothing like a lullaby.

She dreams of babies who are grown,

as the cold darkness lays down beside her.

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