To Gardens in Black and White

I.

My heart throbs as you disappear
From my side.
I look to the framed picture
Of the garden,
Lush and full
But without color

The bedroom emanates in greens and beiges.
Indeed dust found a home
Along with us.

II.

You laugh at the comment I whisper.
Head thrown back,
Eyes gleaming,
Seeing no end
To the happiness.

It was dark out.
No one was to sleep.

Rings held us together,
To love, honor, and cherish
Through sickness and in health,
Until death
Do us apart.

Your eyes told me this was untrue.
Nothing was to undo us.

And to mortality that will never come.

III.

A white flash
Captures us

In the mystical realm.

The breeze swayed the palm trees
With ease.

Moon flowers, honeysuckles, and oriental poppies,
Unfolded and bloomed,
Intoxicating us with ecstasy.

Holding on,
I was never to let go.

The garden, white with auras
Followed me, it urged
To not let go
Of colors that she bore.

The photographer approached,
Terror-striking the murmurs of the flowers.
We embraced for the picture.

It was black and white,
Frightened of the night,

Colors drained away,
And the scents and comforts it contains

IV.

You no longer hold me.

Your long brown hair transitioned
To gray,
Shortened as time was,
An unforeseen whisper
Bit us apart.

You left to the skies,
Leaving your ring here
With me.

Time stole you from me.
It tells me that I won't see you

You still manage to appear,
In colors or in laughter.
You come to snatch me,
Letting me guess
What is reality and which is real.

Too quickly, you disappear
To just two colors.