Red Umbrella
I walked slowly across the manicured lawn
To her flowered gravesite. She’s gone
And I held her umbrella vivid red
Rubied and glistening overhead
Red like her lips I will ne’er again meet
Ruddy like her cheeks once perfumed sweet
Midst cold rain, like my tears, from darkening skies
I then looked down the row and met his soft eyes
A small dog tightly curled and I surmised
Was at the feet of his master that was no more
Lying wet at the threshold of a closed door
Then he gazed intently at my kind face
And said, can I share a bit of dry space
You seem to be lost weeping alone
And I need some warmth as I’m chilled to the bone
So I welcomed him there and let him draw near
Till the drops ceased their flow and it became clear
Then I smoothed down his hair with her old wooden comb
And whispered to him gently – let’s go home
11.8.18
Copyright © Mark Elam | Year Posted 2018