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Encore Love

In the manner of an aloof peace dove
her velveteen voice floats
across the room to me, and I hear,
"Yes, I could love you."
I wait for a qualifying word.
She sits silently in the chair, staring
out the large window at
a bigger world awaiting
the answer as do I.
Finally, in a richness of
sincerity and longing, she adds,
"You must believe that
my husband's death ended any
desire for romantic love with
another, who can never share love as
did youthful zealots taking on the world."
Arising, I take a few steps to her, and
fall on my knees at eye level to
utter words of surprise for both,
"Our young loves are in the past, and
you and I are vibrantly alive, so
from this moment,
believe with me, that
we are eagerly young enough for
an untried love waiting to be embraced."
Her open arms assure passage into
our love's unknown future of endless years.


2007 F William Broome