kneeling

she lays a single white rose

upon a stone

that has been washed clean by her tears

her voice frail and broken

as she tells him of the children

she speaks of the grandchildren with pride

reminding him it's time to re-roof the house

winter is almost here

tho' it's still spring in her heart

he's been gone ten years

yet her love spans time and life and death

her fingers trace the carving in the stone

lovingly

she knows every contour

every shape

a solitary tear slips down her face

which she hastily wipes away

saying, "Oh that was nothing"

old bones achily bring her to her feet

as she touches the cold stone so gently

whispering "I love you"

as she walks away