Janice Alper
A widow knows
his hand will not reach
out to you in the dark
to brush away your tears
or put his arm around you
after a fight
about nothing at all.
A widow knows
couple friends
reach out
for a short time.
She adjusts
carries her own luggage
resists calling him
in the middle of the day to say,
“I love you. I miss you.”
A widow requests
a separate check in a restaurant
a single seat at the theater.
She dances at parties
pretending he is there.
At night a widow
spoons with the pillows
snuggles under the covers
breathes in his scent.
Janice Alper, an active octogenarian, writes poems, personal essays and memoirs. Follow her at www.janicesjottings1.com