Time After. . .

I swear some nights you are beside me
making that impression on the other
side of the bed where the sheets
are untouched and pulled up tight
I roll over and can picture your face
laying on pillow just as it was the
last time you were here.

You stroke my face and look deep
into my eyes searching for a way. . .
A way to erase the last thirty years
to bargain for an ‘over’
to manipulate time
to promise me
what I can never have

“after my picture fades and darkness
has turned to gray
watching through windows
you're wondering if I'm OK
secrets stolen from deep inside
the drum beats out of time

if you're lost you can look--
and you will find me
time after time
if you fall I will catch you--
I'll be waiting time after time

Flashback--warm nights--
almost left behind
suitcases of memories,
time after time”