Welcome Home
She'd carry out the spiralled vase --
To its fluted lip piled many a penny,
As much candy money as I could count,
But soon it seemed I hadn't any --
"Jesus will take me to see your Gran'Dad,"
But when I cried she agreed not to die,
A treat and a pat to soften the blow,
Was a prelude to "Goodbye."
The crystalline tumbler caught the glow,
Gin & Tonic sparkling within,
She sat on my lap and gave me a kiss,
To go with the mischeivous grin,
"Now we're adults, that's how we'll behave,"
So while in night's tender embrace, we did lie,
But the truth was a note read in morning's light,
Another prelude to "Goodbye."
The champagne bubbled, we toasted our joining --
With white satin wrapped 'round black wool,
Gold rings and degrees projected success,
But waning fortune saw passions grow cool --
"Just hold me tonight so I won't be afraid,"
Then good news brought relief with a sigh,
Miraculous profits could stave off no loss,
In the next prelude to "Goodbye."
I called from the airport, the flight was on time,
Got reservations in Joe's Family Room --
When I picked up her silver, the flower shop called,
They had gathered herb, leaf and bloom --
"You been such a good boy and you've given me joy,"
She sank on the stairwell and started to cry,
Paramedics loosened her feeble grip,
In that prelude to "Goodbye."
First words and quick pulses were promising signs
As I learned about you while talking too long.
When phrases repeated and silence grew,
You worried you'd bore me or say something wrong,
"I don't understand, can you tell me again?"
The warm sense of hope left me with no reply
I guess I could have said, "I love you,"
But it's just another prelude to "Goodbye."
