Yes
Judy Bebelaar

I did it.
I went with him
and it changed my life.
But then my life
had already been changed.

You died.
I was still alive.
You had said you didn’t want me
to be alone.
That was kind.

He invited me,
and I went.
So soon, though,
maybe too soon--
only three months, a little less,
to tell the truth.

He told me about the roses
growing on the fences
along the vineyards,
red for Alicante and Beaujolais,
white for champenoise and chardonnay.

We flew over the quilted land,
over the oak trees
that I’ve loved forever,
up with the red-tailed hawks, the ravens,
up with all the beautiful raptors,
and I thought of kissing him.

And if I could go back
to that place now,
I would,
and kiss him this time.
And still, I would think of you,
I would.