He watches for her every morning.
He has for years.
He waits for her smile
She always does.
He longs to touch her
and  whisper
Scarecrows can dream too.

I know you are close by because my heart is racing like a first date kiss.

You caught me off guard last time but I'm ready for you now.  It's not like I'm

a little boy.  You are one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen.  I could

walk up to you and introduce myself but I don't feel like it right now.  Better yet,

I'll turn away like I never saw you.  Boy, that will show you.  As you pass,

you brush your hair back and smile.  You own this moment.  You know what's

going on.  I turn and watch you walk up the street.  Now it's my moment.

I just turned and walked into a street sign.

Shielding my eyes from the blinding light.

A faint image reaching for me

Calming me, warming me , engulfing me.

Mystical spirit, here is my heart.

I heard the whispers when we first met.
"Why is she wasting her life when
She can have anyone?"
"He should act his age and let
her grow up."
"She's being naïve,
It's only lust."
"What is he thinking.
He's twice her age."
They don't stand a chance."
"She is sure to get hurt."

But you would grab my arm
and pull yourself closer.
"They are so blind.  Love is not about age
or is it about lust."
"We cannot live by others words and
tears are not always because we're sad."
"I will follow you on
all your paths and
I will lead you on all of mine."

Then one day I watched you
go where I could not.
I caught your last breath with a kiss
and shared a tear with you to
guide the way.
And as you left me
I heard a whisper,
"What a shame,
They were meant for each other."

I placed the roses
where you would see them first
And watched the door.
Steps in the hall
Deep breath.  Anticipation.
It was not you.
I turned and walked away.
I gave them  some water the next day
Hoping to keep them fresh for when
You came back.
Your love filling the room
So quiet, so empty.
I turned and looked away.
I went about my ways
Did not think  about them
Saw them days later
Bright red turned to brown.
Pulled them from the vase
Put them between two pages
IN REMEMBRANCE
I turned and let the tears fall