The prickly roses and the violets, too are gone
sweet memories of past picnics and summer fairs
of Renaissance ladies, leading us to lush lawns
where I won at the games, two large stuffed bears
that drunk on laughter, we gave away, that once upon
a lifetime ago, inscribed in our hearts, a dream shared
though its beginnings courted danger and purloined risk
with your dark hair and shaded eyes shadowing escape
when I took you from that biker you hitchhiked with
taking to the highway that we found in every place
I remember your stolen smile, your half-way kiss
that one day was gone without any forward trace
though I regret tears that come with a fool’s blindfold
I take comfort in seeing what you mean to me still.
