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| Throw pillow cover by society6. |
She, as you.
She, as I.
Even the one
who stands behind
cheering him on.
Will not, does not, cannot.
All the leaves, every color
and shape, every size,
old ones, young ones, sun-washed,
rain-lashed, turn in the wind.
We see them.
As she as you as I
fluttering, lifting, fall.
Light hidden on the undersides
silver-soft, then gone.
Even the one
who swears he'll fight for her.
Even she.
Would not, did not, could not.
Hear them, so close.
Though the wind in every wave
remembered it, told it, wept.
Tides calm to raging
turned and turned and yet.
The one who smooths his brow
and kisses him to sleep.
Even she.
Janet E. Aalfs, poet laureate emeritus of Northampton, MA, 7th degree black belt, Jian Mei Internal Arts branch chief instructor, and founder/ director of Lotus Peace Arts at Valley Women's Martial Arts, has been teaching and performing weavings of poetry and movement arts locally, nationally, and internationally for 40 years. Her writing has been widely published, and her most recent book of poems is Bird of a Thousand Eyes, Levellers Press.
