ALWAYS

Always.
Such a long time ,
yet that’s what you said;
always, forever, ‘till death do us part,
yet I’ve barely aged
and you’re already saying goodbye.
Goodbye.
Such finality.
Do you mean always,
like in forever, ‘till death do us part?
Or do you mean…always,
like before I’ve grown much older?
Always.
I thought I knew it’s meaning,
then I married you,
found it an arbitrary word
meaning different things,
at different times,
used by you, always,
as the situation warrants.
Always.
Forever to me.
Beyond conceiveability.
I’ll love you – Always
though you only loved me – always.
Always, forever…now what was it you said about
Forever?

wesley james beard, jr.
(c)August 2001