Today, I saw you walking down the street;
the one that curves around, then through the park.
I heard the laughter of the children as
they ran and played their games,
while you stood by the river in our spot.
I sat and watched with distant visions in my mind
of times we spent together feeding seagulls,
as they flapped and hovered in the wind;
you were concerned I'd lose a finger to a beak.
The gulls were very greedy birds that day.

I looked and saw you turn. I stood to wave but caught
my breath; he was not you. Of course, he was not you.
How quickly lives can change and leave mere memories
that rattle in the mind. The echoes of our lovers and
our friends who will remain forever in our souls;
their epitaphs to note they've passed along this way.
I thought I saw you in the park today, but you were
only there within the lonely chambers of my mind.

Copyright by Anita Lewis Longino