The Way Things Change

August 1st 2023

“What do you love?”

“Well, I love the way the birds sing into the morning air and I love when a new leaf unfurls in the garden. I love the first few pages of my favorite books. I love the last few pages, too. I love sitting along the river when the mayflies hatch and I love the untouched view from the mountains on the Appalachian Trail. I love the sound of ocean waves on a summer day. I love a storm, late in the afternoon. And…and I love climbing into bed with clean sheets and I love perusing old photographs. I love a home-cooked meal and I love the laughter shared with my favorite people. I love the quiet stillness of solitude…”

“And…do you still love me?”

I hesitate and you study my face. I love the idea of a life without you. You stare straight ahead, just as you always have, and your face grows cold with understanding. We sit this way, unspoken, until the daylight fades into night.

And in the morning, the songs of sparrows encourage me from my sleep, where I find myself alone.