20/20

By

Karen Vanuska

She wishes the silver strands in her hair were real,

That she could cash them in to pay the mortgage

Or her children’s college tuition,

Or for that trip to the City of Lights,

Still eluding her after all these years.

Crashing waves still fill her with peace,

And a belief that strength and goodness matter,

Just wait.

If nothing else,

She’s given her children the crash of waves.

Still his hair burns like golden wheat on a bright day.

Still his eyes shine when he reaches out,

Gathers her up in his arms,

Loves her,

Eternally.

And they are gone ..

At last, that sorrow is over.

Lives lived in mourning for what could never be,

Her old family,

Oh-so-broken.

Her children will return,

Bringing new love into her home.

This, more than Paris,

More than a shelf-full of books authored by her,

Will be her life.