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?