A Promise

The sun is up, another morning’s come-- The coffee’s brewed, the eggs and bacon fried, The sky is bright, the birds are frolicsome— On such a day, what sorrow could betide? And yet this cheery masquerade today Is, by my very reticence, belied, As if I’m in some strange, absurdist play: It all has seemed so pointless since you died. And now I only want to grieve and hide, Yet still, I know to do so’s a mistake— I swore to you to go on, to abide, And that’s a solemn promise I can’t break. And so, my love, this further vow I’ll make: That I’ll go on with living -- for your sake. December 31, 2019