JUST ONE

JUST ONE

From habit she got out two forks
Angrily she threw one in the drawer
One fork, one knife, one cup, one plate
There was now no need for any more

No squabble now to read the paper
Time was hers - each day the same
No-one there to hug or tease her
No-one there to speak her name

A vivid collage of their lives together
Formed in her mind then faded away
Cherished memories of lovers dancing
Growing older, turning grey

She'd taken it all so much for granted
Like the day he'd fixed the leaking shower
"About time too" was all she'd mumbled
She'd give her life for another hour

The smell of him so much around her
Was less intense as days went by
She'd found it hard to clear his wardrobes
And now she didn't even try

She'd sit there, in the twilight hours
Couldn't sleep however late
Two divided by two leaves only
One fork, one knife, one cup, one plate.

?2001 Judy Karbritz