Fifty Years

She stops outside number 82, sees a woman
Similar to the one
She herself remembers being.
Recollects her 21st, over fifty years ago,
And her husband to be, waiting
Until after the pub closed to attend,
Not sharing until years later
That he needed the Dutch courage to even enter the house.

Recollects her 21st, over fifty years ago,
Wonders what happened to that girl
Full of life and hope,
Who dared to love.
But her husband is gone
And she is left alone,
Standing outside a house no longer hers,
Filled only with memories.

The woman who looks like she used to,
Half her age, no wrinkles or worries,
Listens and laughs
In all the right places,
Lets her stop and talk,
And she finally feels seen,
Even though she misses her husband, and
Recollects her 21st, over fifty years ago.

The town has changed a lot,
But she stays here – born and bred,
Likes to tell her story,
Reminisce and remember
She can still hear the music,
Of the days when the dancing
Lasted all night, and they greeted the dawn,
That one night, on her 21st, over fifty years ago.