Come now, sweet memories, before you fade shield me from the fear of losing faith in the essences of that from which you’re made come forth, if only in the guise of wispy wraith. Oh past, do not deny me now a present sense of fingers touching ever moistened lips a touch that beckons me without pretense into moments that time cannot eclipse. These memories - the only gift I’ve left, cold visions of a love I will not yield for yielding would leave my soul bereft alone with but the thought “our loving failed”. Come now sweet memories – my dreams invade surround me in the glow of love’s charade. John G. Lawless ©8/1/2021