Maren Tirabassi

The Vase

She was at the University,
and he was long-haul truck driving
to earn the money
to go back to school.

And there was this very important dance,
but he was scheduled out of town.

When she came back from class 
to Currier Hall, and 
saw the bouquet on the desk - 
bigger than a funeral spray 
and brilliant
with different colors of glads -
she didn't even think
to look at the card 
till the dorm mother called her  -

He was so sorry
he couldn't take her to the dance
and hoped she liked flowers.

She's kept the vase all these years
and, now that Alzheimers 
is taking him away 
and she often dances alone,
she runs her finger along the rim,
and knows he loves her,
even when he isn't there.

--Maren Tirabassi