On the top rail of the fence
sits a girl with moss-green eyes
jeans that are cuffed to the knee
reveal skin the color of milk
a spray of freckles on her cheeks
bring to mind wildflowers
in the open meadow.
She laughs, tilting her head slightly
to look into the young man’s face
with the movement bright strands
of copper and gold spring to life
as the sunlight dances across her hair.

Eternally seventeen and in love.

The old man opens his eyes
his wife of sixty years
moves restlessly in the bed
gently he strokes her face
then leans down and kisses her forehead.
She opens her mossy green eyes
and for the first time in seven years
he sees in them the light of recognition.
She smiles as she touches his face,
a touch that is comforting and familiar.
Her eyes and touch saying more than
those few last moments gave her time to say.

He leaves the hospital and walks home
where he closes his eyes
once again he is beside her as she sits
on the top rail of the fence,
he will not wake again choosing instead
to stay
Eternally seventeen and in love.