Herb is in Love . . . Again - March 31, 2026
my friend lost his husband
three years ago and today
he clings to someone new,
big bouncy smiles, arm in
arm, shoulders touching
he stops and asks
How are you Gary?
we ignore the white elephant
and turn to my white dog, Oliver
who accepts all strokes of
attention accompanying
the lilting sound of his name
as we separate, I turn to see them
holding hands and wonder what they’re
talking about – the sweet song of a bird,
a shared moment from yesterday
a reminder about tonight’s dinner
mostly though, it appears touched
skin holds the topic of affection
spoken in the language of silence
I debate if I should use his real name
his face is the open bloom of
a gardenia with white silk petals
and a fragrance everyone loves
why would Herb want to hide that?
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