She lies in my arms,
I trace the curve of her soft skin.
Her long lashes sweep her cheek
and she gives herself
up to sleep,
up to me;
a gift of
trust.
My own eyes dimmed with
the press of passing years
and creased skin with
laughter lines
and low lids
trembling with
tears, at her
faith in me,
undeserved! as I and
my peers have
profligately profited
from her future
set her
planet alight,
pontificated,
procrastinated,
pardoned the despoiler
and punished
our children.
