Her eyes follow him

as he shifts position,

reacting as he reacts to her.

Eyes that jump with joy to meet

and always have

for so many years.

 

She waits til he settles

before she whispers

“It wasn’t too bad, was it Sam?”

“Well, the first twenty five years

were touch and go,but

the next twenty five made up for it.”

 

She coughs a weak laugh

he touches her hand.

The merest touch

but it’s enough

for powerful emotion

on a well run course.

 

She smiles softly

then closes her eyes.

He’ll never make her laugh again.

He feels her hand cool

as she drifts away from him

after all this time.