by louise gluck from the seven ages
there was one summer
that returned many times over
there was one flower unfurling
taking many forms
crimson of the monarda, pale gold of the late roses
there was one love
there was one love, there were many nights
smell of the mock orange tree
corridors of jasmine and lilies
still the wind blew
there were many winters but i closed my eyes
the cold air white with dissolved wings
there was one garden when the snow melted
azure and white; i couldn’t tell
my solitude from love --
there was one love; he had many voices
there was one dawn; sometimes
we watched it together
i was here
i was here
there was one summer returning over and over
there was one dawn
i grew old watching
