We remember...

Eyes scanning the room,
party in full flow.
Our glances fused
sparks flew, boom!
You blinked, I blinked,
we played that curious game:
look away, look back,
a nervy smile of recognition.

It’s all so long ago
we even smoked.
I lit your cigarette,
you blew out the match,
said “Save it for later.”
That made me smile,
though it was old and corny.
I’ve been happy ever since
laughing in your company.

Oh, we’ve had our tears
our tantrums and fights.
But, above all that,
we’ve stood together
shouldering grief,
sharing the sadness
of life’s myriad blows.

Through it all,
the pain and joy
births and deaths,
we’ve remained
side-by-side,
hand-in-hand,
loyal and loving.
With all its
ups and downs
highs and lows,
the cliches of life
we’ve ridden.
Shared with
a loved one,
no finer journey
can be had.

But, now that the past
has become longer
than our future,
the race is all but run.
Youth hands over
the baton to age,
leaving us with
memories and
love to take us
happily towards
the sunset.
The sands of time
wait for no-one,
sifting through toes
as we walk
on soft beaches.
Merciless seas
wash away
footprints
as if we’ve never
even trod there,
leaving no trace
of our existence.

Yet we remember...