We’ve lived
side by side
for years.
We’ve shared
recipes,
movies,
eggs.
Our kids
have baked cookies
and
walked to school
and
had first day of school photos
and
last day of school breakfasts.
We’ve taught
each other’s kids at church.
We’ve sat
in council meetings
together
as auxiliary presidents.
We’ve been
visiting teaching companions.
We’ve carpooled
and
attended the same
concerts
and
graduations
and
ridden to promenades
and
traded weeks
for lunch bunch.

And
now we’re both losing
our husbands.
Both are dying:
–hers, physically,
and mine, spiritually.

Together we weep
As she faces
the loss of her husband
And I face
the loss of mine.
Two men,
friends,
now disabled.
One by chance,
the other by choice.

I worry about
wearing out my welcome,
but wonder if maybe
our mutual sharing
is helpful.
She can vent to me
about exactly
what’s going on,
maybe in some way
she doesn’t talk
to anyone else.

And
we weep
together
and hold on
together.