Laura

“Remembrance of things past is not necessarily the remembrance of things as they were.” (Marcel Proust)

(for LP)

Too long ago and too far, I still see the corners of her smile curl

like a puppy heart,

--and set a stray red rose over one ear, commemorative & cute

like a ghost of a girl

is just what I'd have done! A hero's chance return, though, to a glad

past sunny June,

and not another day more, did feel for a time blessed with dark

hair and eyes still,

and not one word more or day. Even at the school gate the best I

could do, a rose-bearer,

--or in a dusty hallway where she'd dutifully sung & preened in my light,

like a young teacher--

the best I could do was look and let a girl who always went straight home

settle like a dream,

(2025)