Does every lover believe

deep in their heart

that they have found

the one and only?

She was one of a kind.

A beauty that was from deep within

She would catch me looking at her in wonder

“What” she would ask

I would smile and say

“I’m just resting my eyes”

We were as different as calculus and cacciatore

Though when she danced barefoot

Lips pursed with a Mona Lisa smile

Or laughed anywhere in the tristate area

My heart would throb like a cartoon Romeo

She was a fierce and valiant woman

Who raised her cubs as any lioness would

She taught them to be hale and hearty

And was pleased to see them grow up strong

But on those rare occasions

When the tears welled up behind her eyes

And the pain was too much for her to bear

I would wrap my arms around her

And hold her close

Until the waves of pain subsided

I would do just about anything to make it stop

And I did for almost 50 years

And then I couldn’t