Just This

Just a picture in my drawer somewhere,
An envelope, a strand of golden hair.
The memory of one enchanting date-
Another night I lie awake so late.

It broke the rules, to think we ever met-
A princess and some guy who can’t forget-
That once- this life would let him have his way.
And shine such love without a word to say.

She may go on with thus and sundry chores,
While time and time again I check my drawers-
To hold the gentle tokens of a dream,
My tears not sad, a lovely mountain stream.

It’s all the stories ever heard in one,
An ounce of her to me is like a ton-
An awkward hug, an everlasting kiss-
At once she’s everything, but still- just this.

John H. Bidwell