Love, Always
speech derailed
tipped off balance
a world in fragments
when loss follows its own narrative
secured to his hospital chair
the man
stroke weary
slumps, ungainly as reeds
she caresses his hands
dependent touching
poised intimacy
her words:
"I will love you always.
please say after me,
I will love you always."
her spoken meditation on love's loyalty
words that beg remembrance
he nods
wide eyed faith
caught in sunless seclusion
does he know love by looking at now?
in the white room
there are puzzles that fog the brain
that can't unravel clues
"Try
try
just once more"
splintered words
healable vows
"I will love you, all ways."
Poem composed April 9, 2023
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