Hanson's Bridge (part one)

Hanson's Bridge
was just a few more paces
down the road;
i could see its rusty red
and weathered gray wood
standing out starkly
against the white blanket
of this winter's first snow;

it was a cold and windless morning
but I knew you'd be waiting there
just like every winter
after the first snow;
as we greeted each other
your smile
made me forget about the cold
and your rosy red cheeks
warmed me like a cozy fire;
we spoke
and laughed
and shared
old memories,
we embraced
in a place
that for a short while
was timeless
and without regrets;

but Time
did eventually beckon us
and Regret was as gentle
as she could possibly be
as i turned
and walked
back
across Hanson's Bridge;
"Maybe i'll see you tonight!"
i yelled hopefully
against the harsh silence
of this winter's first snow;

down the road i went
now with a joyous bounce in my step
until i spotted something
that made me stop cold...
along the side of the speckled road
lay a blinding yellow daisy
atop a drift
of powdery
white
snow

Hanson's Bridge (part two...the denial)

sometimes i dream in black and white
with dark flickering images
that strain my mind's eye;

sometimes i dream in sepia
like an old Gene Autrey movie
that constantly
pounds my restless sleep
with the sound
of thundering hooves;

sometimes i dream in color
with warm steamy hues
that melt my heart
and make me cry
bloody molten tears
that sting me awake;

but never have i dreamt
of a blinding yellow daisy
atop a powdery snow drift;

i never dreamt that....

Never!