She sits alone in her kitchen
eye to the clock,
window,
clock.
Not reading the newspaper as
second hand jumps
neatly
forward.
Fingers drum on mug handle
eye to the door,
porch,
steps.
Replay his recorded message,
"Be there Teusday."
watch,
wait.
Ear strains at passing cars
none slow down -
stop
here.
Memories of him sit with her:
ghost of a lover
smiles
winks.
her hands as nervous birds
reach for the phone
recoil
fidget
Clock shouts each minute
second hand drags her
weary
heart.
Car pulls in the driveway:
door creaks shut,
footsteps,
doorbell.
After three years he's here,
she peeks past drapes,
frozen,
unsure.
Her memory of him is laughing,
truth at the back door,
knocking,
waiting.
Footsteps, car door, engine
clocks all stop,
peace,
quiet.
Silently she walks upstairs,
closes her door,
cries,
sleeps.